He was born in Piqua, Ohio on April 14, 1921 the second son of Charles E. and Hazel P. Collins, both deceased. He was preceded in death by an older brother, John R. Collins, a younger brother Charles E. and sister Nancy Jane. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Bettie B. Collins, and two sons and their wives, Michael T. and wife, Carol and Patrick C. and wife, Claudia. There are four grandchildren, Cari, Matthew, Chad and Scott and five great-grandchildren, Elle, Addilyn, Bailey, Maeve and Gracyn.

After graduating from high school in Piqua, Ohio he attended the University of Pennsylvania and graduated cum laude from Ohio State University in 1947. He served 4 years in the U.S. Navy and finished his military career as an executive officer on the LST-141 in the Mediterranean Theater with the rank of lieutenant.

In 1949 he moved to Missoula with his family and was first employed by the Missoula Mercantile Co. He served on the board of both the Missoula and the Montana Chambers of Commerce. After his appointment to the first Missoula City/County Planning Board he later became Director of the State Dept. of Planning and Economic Development.

From 1965 until 1979 he was on the staff of the University of Montana administration in various capacities. At the time of retirement he was executive director of the University of Montana Foundation. He served on a number of board and commissions including the Montana Bank system, the Alexander Dawson Foundation of Las Vegas, The Trout & Salmon Foundation, the Montana Historical Society Foundation, the Craighead Wildlife/Wildlands Institute, The Alexander Dawson Schools in both Denver and Las Vegas, and the Water Heritage Trust.

During his lifetime he had a profound interest in all outdoor activities and was active in various environmental organizations. He was a member of Rotary, Elks, Masons, Shrine, the Royal Order of Jesters, and Sigma Alpha Epsilon. In 1975 he was awarded the prestigious Gilmour Memorial Trophy which is given annually in New Zealand to an American who has enhanced international relations through his high standards of sportsmanship. He was recently awarded the Neil Bucklew Presidential Award by the University of Montana.

Formerly a professional accordionist, he had devoted much of his senior years furthering the acceptance of the instrument through compositions, seminars, and performances throughout the world. Almost annually he performed as guest artist with the Air New Zealand Accordion Orchestra, as well as, numerous performances in England and throughout the United States. He will be remembered by many as the Grand Gentleman of the accordian world.

It is requested that memorial donations be made to either the Water Quality Fund in the Dept. of Environment Studies, The Thomas J. Collins Scholarship Fund, the Grizzly Riders Memorial all in the University of Montana Foundation, the Shriners Hospital, Box 2472, Spokane, WA 99210, or any charity of the donor's choice.

A memorial service will be held 11:00a.m., February 21, 2004 at First Presbyterian Church, 201 South 5th Street, Missoula, Montana 59801.