Master Sergeant (Retired) Richard "Dick" Joseph Collins, 80, died peacefully in his hometown of Poplar Bluff, Mo. Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2017. A veteran of the Vietnam War, he retired from Bergstrom Air Force Base, Texas after 22 years of honorable service.
Richard was born on Dec. 11, 1936 in St. Louis, Mo. His parents were Frederick J. Collins and Vera Watkins Collins. He graduated Poplar Bluff High School, Class of 1955. Shortly after graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. Richard met Barbara Jean Suttner and married her on Jan. 5, 1960. They have enjoyed 57 years of holy matrimony. After retiring from the Air Force, Richard worked for the City of Austin Electric Department, Austin, Texas, and retired after 20 plus years. He had been enjoying his retirement in Poplar Bluff with his wife.
Some of Richard's recent activities and hobbies included; volunteering with the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and ushering; a member of the AMVETS; a regular attendee of the local BINGO club; and spoiling his dog Emma Jean with his wife.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara; his daughter, Diana; his son, Daniel; his grandchildren, Ray, Heather, Kimberly, Andrea, and Jacqueline; his great-grandchildren, Max, Isabella, Constantine, Genesis, Ezra, and Elena; his brother, James; and his cousins ,Michael L. Wallis, and Betty Jackson. He is preceded in death by his infant daughter Donna.
A viewing will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 3 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church followed at 11 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial. Burial immediately following with full military honors will be in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery.
Online condolences: cotrellfuneralservice.con
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