Robert (Rob) Collins

Robert (Rob) Collins was born on September 11, 1946, in Racine, WI,  and passed away on May 11, 2023, in Gilbert, Az.  His parents were Rev. R.G.W .Collins and Margaret Collins.  As his father was a minister, Rob lived in many places during his childhood: Iowa, Nebraska, and Arizona.  After graduation from Reinbeck High School, in Reinbeck, Iowa, Rob attended Elsworth Jr. College, before entering the US Navy. During his time in the Navy, he served on The Ranger, The Constellation, and The Kittyhawk.  He was a jet engine mechanic in Japan during the Viet Nam War. 

After his discharge, Rob partnered on a hog farm with Jerry Fogt, in Wells, MN, where he met his wife, Diane.They were married in Fairmount, N. D., on August 7, 1971.  They moved to Arizona in 1972.  Rob attended Mesa Community College. Rob and Diane had three children: Jamie, Joshua, and Jaala, to whom he was a devoted father.   He retired from the phone company in 2003. He and Diane moved to Heber, AZ with great joy in 2005, as they had always enjoyed time in the mountains.    He enjoyed family, camping, hunting, photography, ham radio, gardening, and woodworking. Neighbors often came by to admire his garden, and the home was filled with photos he took and furnishings he made.  

Rob is survived by wife, Diane; daughter, Jamie (Keith) Switzer, Whispering Pines, NC; son, Joshua Collins, Phoenix, AZ; daughter Jaala (Dave) Grommisch, Gilbert, AZ.; grandson, Gabe (Summer) Switzer, Whispering Pines, NC;  granddaughter Molly Switzer, Whispering Pines, NC; grandsons, Carter Grommisch and Mason Grommisch, Gilbert, AZ;  great-grandson Kit Robert Switzer, Whispering Pines, AZ; sister Patti (John) Clark, Oelwein, Iowa; and cousin, Nancy (Dennis) Mulford, Anamosa, Iowa. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. and Mrs. Margaret Collins, sister, Kathleen Clifton, and cousin, Steve Davis.

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