Richard Stratton Collins

Richard "Dick" Collins, 79, passed away peacefully on April 29, 2009, in Austin, Texas. Dick was born to Edgar and Rosina Ann Collins on December 11, 1929 in Smith Center, Kansas. He attended several colleges and spent a year in Paris before graduating from the University of Texas in 1952. He then moved to New York where he met and married Rosemarie Lamb with whom he had three children: Michelle Kirincich, Jennifer Collins-Friedrichs and Logan Collins. Dick enjoyed a distinguished career in public relations. He began with Look Magazine, then one of the world's largest weekly magazines. In 1976 he moved with his family to Chicago to join the American Bar Association. He held several positions over his long tenure there, eventually serving as Director of Communications and Public Affairs. Retiring to Austin in 1994, Dick stayed active, joining many arts and civil liberties organizations. Among those causes dear to his heart were the ACLU, Grey Panthers, Yellow Dog Democrats, Reading for the Blind, the Forum, the Austin Traditional Jazz Society and the Texas Freedom Network. His greatest pride and joy were his children and grandchildren, to whom he passed on his life-long love of the Democratic Party, gardening, history, jazz and P.G. Wodehouse. "Pops" as he was affectionately called, will be greatly missed by his three children and his grandchildren Colin, Adam and Justin Kirincich, Meseret, Alia and Vicente Collins-Friedrichs, and Brady Collins. In addition Dick is also survived by his sister Sue Collins McDonald and nephew Reb Wayne of Austin. The family wishes to express its thanks for the wonderful care Dick received in the last weeks of his life. He took great comfort in the many visits and letters from friends and neighbors. In lieu of flowers, Dick had requested donations to the Orphan Student Fund providing education for Ethiopian orphans at adoptionadvocates.org, to the Gray Panthers, 3710 Cedar St. #223, Austin, Texas 78705 (512) 458-3738, or to Odyssey Hospice of Austin, 4201 West Parmer, Suite 100, Bldg. C, Austin, Texas 78727. Memorial services will take place at the Austin AFL-CIO, 1106 Lavaca on Sunday, May 24, 2009 from 1:00 to 3:00. Share memories on-line at wcfish.com.