Robert Collins

Robert L. Collins, former vice president and treasurer of Interstate Life, of Jacksonville, Fla., passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, at the age of 81.He was born in Chattanooga, on Jan. 4, 1931.Mr. Collins was preceded in death by his parents, Luther Y. Collins and Grace H. Collins; and by his wife of 55 years, Janice "Buzz" Dettor Collins, of Jacksonville, formerly of Chattanooga.Mr. Collins is survived in death by his daughters, Cynthia Collins Rampey, of Fort Collins, Colo., and Pamela Collins Stein, of Jacksonville, Fla.; grandchildren, Erin Collins Rampey, of Mountain View, Calif., and Tyler Collins Rampey of Fort Collins, Colo.; and his sister, Thelma E. Collins of Chattanooga.Mr. Collins graduated from Chattanooga High School. He joined the Marine Corps in 1950 and fought in the Chosin Reservoir Campaign.Upon returning from Korea, Mr. Collins worked at the Tennessee Valley Authority while attending college. After graduation from The University of Chattanooga in 1955, he joined Interstate Life Insurance Company, where he worked for 25 years. During his tenure at Interstate, Robert became vice president and treasurer, served as an officer of the Chattanooga and Tennessee Mortgage Bankers Association, achieved designation as members of the Fellow Life Management Institute and the Institute of Real Estate Appraisers. He was a Deacon, board member and finance committee chairman of First Christian Church. Robert worked diligently with the Northeast Hamilton County Pollution Control Committee to significantly reduce air pollution in Chattanooga.Mr. Collins joined Gulf United Corporation in 1980 as vice president of GULFCO Capital Management Incorporated and was vice president and treasurer of Gulf Life. He was a member of Riverside Avenue Christian Church, serving as a deacon, board member, and finance committee vice chairman. Mr. Collins joined Deermeadows Baptist Church in 2000.A memorial service will be held at the East Chapel at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012, with interment to follow at Chattanooga National Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, the family has requested contributions be made to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida or to Deermeadows Baptist Church of Jacksonville, Fla.Please share your thoughts and memories at www.hgmandarin.com.Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 23, 2012, at Chattanooga Funeral Homes East Chapel on South Moore Road.