Ted Collins

On Thursday, March 26, 2026, Ted Collins suddenly passed away. He was born November 17, 1962 in Maryland. During his youth, Ted was a Boy Scout, and a fellow Scout described him as like a big brother in many ways. Ted earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Miami in 1984. He was a member of Chi Epsilon (the National Civil Engineering Honor Society), and tutored students in math and science during his college career. From 1989-1991, Ted volunteered as a Fisheries Engineer for the Peace Corps in western Nepal, where he designed, supervised, and helped build fish hatcheries and other construction projects.

Ted was an extremely hard working and technically talented civil engineer. During his 40-year career, he worked on projects that continue to benefit Maryland, Virginia, and DC travelers today, such as the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge, Interstate 295/11th Street Bridge, Maryland Route 404, and the Purple Line. During his leisure time, Ted coached rec league soccer and baseball, competed in the AVAM Kinetic Sculpture Race, cared for a variety of pets, and enjoyed bicycling, chess, Telemark/cross-country skiing, history, science, sports, nature, and black coffee. He was a brilliant, funny, thoughtful, compassionate, modest, brave, responsible, accepting, visionary, and selfless man who truly changed so many lives for the better.

Ted was the devoted father of four children: Thea Collins Zurek, Alise Zurek Collins, Angelo Zurek Collins and Rodolfo Collins Zurek whom he shared with his former wife, Elizabeth Zurek; treasured son of Stanton Joseph Collins, Jr. and Elsa Theone Collins (nee Carlson); dear brother of Katherine Collins (Kim Cox), Rachel J. Collins (Dickie Huff) and the late Stanton Joseph Collins, III. He is also survived by his closest friend of nearly 30 years, Michael Pantazelos, and other loving family and friends.

Interment is private.

A private memorial service will be held in May - those interested in attending may reach out to Thea Collins Zurek directly via email at [email protected]

In lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations be made in Ted’s honor to the Maryland SPCA.