I first met Mike as a cadd operator, new to our Company, he was full of energy and his fingers could fly over a keyboard and build a design faster than anyone I knew. We worked through many projects together helped each other move and he brought me to an appreciation of the outdoors by introducing me to the Appalachian Trail. He was a very good listener and would always throw out a quote or a bit of information that would make you stop and think for a moment and appreciate how much knowledge was trapped in that brain of his. I will always remember our hike to Mt. Rogers in the rain, smelling fall in the leaves And trees. Only realizing when we got to the top that none of us remembered to bring a tent. We all went back to town shared a pitcher of beer and pizza, it was a great trip. One other trip that I remember , Reoniti wine in a box and An open campfire. I will Miss your artwork, quick Witt and your contagious laughter.

I miss Mike. A lot. He was my dear friend and collaborator, in any and all situations. Always there, no matter what kind of goofy idea I may have had.
Mike was a Renaissance man. Knowledgeable and talented in so many areas from art to music, movies and working on making products. It's all related, and he would make the connections. It's a very rare thing. In addition, a never-ending catalogue of impressions and memories of history, entertainment and social interactions most often with a smile and big laugh at the end. He was such a great friend, abundantly resourceful and fun to be around.
We were all so happy for him when he met and married Renae. Such big hearts. A very good match. He spent time on things that mattered. She mattered to him.
Whatever someone else's resume or extensive professional credentials, I'd pick Mike. It wouldn't even be close. I know all here feel the same. He taught me a lot, and most of it had nothing to do with our line of work.
It has taken me years to learn and many often forget, spending time with special people and connecting is the greatest gift. Mike excelled at it. Loved that guy!
Those of you that knew Mike would appreciate this. With tight timelines and some stress, a good laugh often goes a long way.  Some leaders don't have fancy titles. They just do what comes natural to them. Mike was a natural.

I am beyond sorrow that this gentle soul is no longer with us, my heart barely understands. But I take comfort in knowing he is in a better place now, completely healed and with his mom and dad and two brothers. Photos and memories of Michael, his sweet smile, his kind heart, cannot replace his presence here, but I am ever-so-grateful to have had him in my family for the many years that I did.  He was one-of-kind for sure, and the memories are priceless. My heart aches for Renae, Jeanie and all the Collins’ extended family that love him so deeply. My heart aches for this loss. 



I have known Michael since he was a few years old. His sister Jeanie was so proud of him and loved him as if he was her child instead of her brother.  Quite and unassuming, he grew into 
a  man that was not a big talker but smart, sweet and sincere.  Michael and Renae  loved their life together and I know she and his friends will miss him but will keep him alive in their hearts and minds.  May he rest in peace  until it is time to be together again.

Michael was always such a sweetheart. Whenever we saw him, he would give that cute smile & the greatest hugs. He was a very caring, wonderful man and his lovely light will definitely be missed. Our thoughts & prayers are with his beautiful family & friends.

I met Mike in 1995 when he came to Seattle to work for Virtual i-O.  The moment I met him, he felt like an old friend.  I've never had that feeling about anyone before, or since.  Mike was a comic genius! 
 Almost every day I'd be in tears from laughing so hard at things he'd say or pictures he'd drawn.  He had a joke for every occasion and situation.  Even though we worked there less than a year, we remained friends, always keeping in touch on our birthdays.  Renae, I remember when he told me he met you.  He was on cloud 9!  I couldn't believe you took up motorcycling!  I thought, wow, she's cool!  ...I can't believe Mike is gone, but I feel his presence around me.  I know he's looking out for all of us now.  He's our guardian angel on that big Hog in the sky!  RIP Mike.  I will never forget you.

We had the honor of working with Mike at Plexus for many years. He was not only a great designer, but he was an even better person. He brought many laughs and smiles to our team and was truly a member of our family. I have such fond memories of Mike telling stories from his past and about his family, always with a positive message. I am very thankful that our journeys crossed, even for such a short period, because I know he helped us be better people.

Dear Collins Family,

Because they float in the Heavens so far away from us now, their beautiful light will continue to shine on us forever and the glow will be so bright it will warm your heart, it will make your eyes glisten, and you will think to yourself, Mike Collins, what a concept.

I had the honor and privilege to work with such a fine man. Everyday morning I would say.."Good Morning  Mike Collins" and he would respond, "Good Morning Susan" 
Good Night Mike Collins...thanks for the memories.
Susan Burkhart 

As with everyone who hears the news of Mike’s passing I am sad. But as a reflect on the time I was able to spend sitting next to him in the trenches of large design programs, I am very grateful to have met him and to have had several years to learn from his experiences.  Always willing to share either professional or personal stories, he would pop his head over the cube wall and add colorful commentary that was always welcome. Always polite, always helpful, and more than anything, always patient. As a designer I would push the boundaries of mechanics looking for the best user experience. He respected the aspirations, took the time to understand what I was actually after and would patiently help find a solution that was achievable. Several times a day if you heard mike say “did you know?” or “hey, guess what?” you knew you were in for a treat. It may be some interesting fact about the song we were listening to or a clever way to solve a problem. You learned to pay attention. You wouldn’t want to miss the nugget he was about to share. 
I am sad today, but I will remember Mike’s smile, his laugh, his patience and try my best to live a little more like Mike each day. 

2/2: We'd spend the first 15 minutes of a 30-minute meeting catching up on Simpsons episodes and joking around, and would eventually get down to business. We had fun together every time. I valued Mike's technical help, but I also, like many of his coworkers, simply enjoyed hanging out together.

As designers, we like to poke fun at engineers. I think the real reasons we do this are the same grade school reasons anyone makes fun of anyone: jealousy and affection. We like to think we're more easy-going, flexible, stye-conscious, and cool, but someone like Mike is a reminder that we're really just jealous of how they can be all of those things, on top of being smarter than we are. As I've said, he somehow combined it all. He also never made me feel inferior, even as a pesky 20-year-old kid. Those that knew him know how brilliant he was. He had a way of diving from the big idea down into the details, and back again, which made him one of my favorite people to work with. He also very patiently taught me much of what I know and still use today about how to collaborate across industries and specialties.

I would never be where I am today if not for Mike Collins. He had such a positive, encouraging effect on me at a time when I needed it most and, although I wish we had spent more time together, I will be forever thankful to have known him. I am deeply saddened to have lost a friend too early, and my thoughts and best wishes are with his wife, Renae, and their families. 

1/2: Learning about Mike's passing was to me, as I'm sure to all who knew him, a sorrowful shock. It was the realization that the world lost far too early someone brilliant, outgoing, and fun, and the realization that I'd lost a friend. I was lucky to meet Mike at the very outset of my career in design, and from the very start, he became the type of mentor and friend that one usually associates with the best college professor they ever had. He also somehow did this without being the least bit professor-like.
 
I have been supremely privileged to have known and worked with some of the most brilliant engineering minds around, and although he clearly made that list, Mike was, put plainly, a cool guy. As oversimple as that sounds, it made him truly unique. Personable qualities don't always go hand-in-hand with the aforementioned aptitude for the technical. He had a way of naturally combining both that made him, amongst the sea of technicians in whatever job he held at the time, the most approachable person in the room. It also made him great at transcending layers of management to truly get things done while many others opt to stay quietly in their lane. He also wasn't afraid to pick up a pencil and draw something out on paper with me - a rarity amongst his peers. He combined two of my favorite personality traits; he was a capable creative. 
 
Very early in my career when I was first getting my business off the ground, he and a small group of engineers in Morrisville formed what would be, to me, a vital partnership. We made a handshake deal wherein I'd help out with early concept sketches and stylistic work on their engineered models, and they'd somehow actualize the zany things I was dreaming up - a great arrangement for a college kid with no money to pay for help. From day one, Mike was my guy within that group. I'd visit their office so often that I knew the lobby attendant, and I'd head straight for Mike's desk upstairs.

Our dearest and deepest thoughts and prayers are with you daily. May God hug you with His comfort and love, give you strength and bless you with peace! We love you, Roscoe & Rusty Lusk

Mike was a fantastic coworker and team mate.  He was selfless, humble and took time to help others less experienced or knowledgeable as him.  He was dependable, calm and collected, he led by example.
Deepest sympathies to Mikes family and friends, he is a great loss.

Miki and Norman visiting from Texas enjoying spending time with the family 

Mike was a great person. One of the kindest I have ever met. He had the best attitude. We worked on a stressful project and he was my rock. I knew I could count on him. Mike’s laugh was quiet yet profound and full of joy. His subtle smile would remind me there are better times ahead. He will be missed but never forgotten.

Truly a great man and contributor. I will miss Michael. Support and best wishes to you Renae as you navigate this difficult time.

The bond these two had was amazing. He loved his Mr Mikey

Mike my sisters Soulmate and the love of her life. Until we meet again. Your the Best!!! We love you 

Mr Mikey meant the world to Nathan and Nathan meant the world to Mike. They truly enjoyed every moment that they had together and had a bond that words could not describe. We are going to miss him very much.

Mike loved being a grandfather and friend to Charleston and Nathan. They had the most fun times together. 

Mike was a valuable member of a great team of engineers at Balda Solutions USA.

What an amazing person and what a remarkable life. I feel so lucky that he was part of our family.

Mike was a pleasure to work with, and a great person to be around.  


We were so glad to have Mike on our ASB team.  He was very talented and provided a fresh and open outlook on our design projects.   He could always provide humor and a smile, just when it was needed.  Here's a group photo with Mike (Renae and group) holding a Challenge Coin (2014).  Only a chosen few outside of full time employees were offered one.  Well-deserved Mike!  I also want thank him for many the great memories which started as far back as the Raychem days, which even included a concert in 2003 at Walnut Creek.

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Michael Darter Collins

26 octobre 1967 – 31 janvier 2022

Apex Funeral Home

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