Russell L. Collins, PhD

Russell Lewis Collins, PhD, son of Glenn Samuel, Sr. and Amy Unas Collins, PhD, was born in Coffeyville, Kansas on September 21, 1928. He passed away on Monday, October 11, 2010 at the age of 82 years.

Dr. Russell Collins grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He attended public schools in the same city and earned a BS degree in Engineering Physics at the University of Tulsa in 1948. Thence to Norman, Oklahoma for graduate study in Physics; he earned his Master’s Degree in 1950, and his PhD in 1953.

He worked at Phillips Petroleum Company and the University of Texas at Austin before retiring in 1984. With his graduate students, Dr. Collins published more than 50 refereed papers in standard journals. In retirement, he worked on several vexing problems of physics. He wrote, “Rubber Rulers and Lackadaisical Clocks Simplify Gravity”, this represents one of his findings. He was working on a book about Photons which remains unfinished. He was a member of the Physics society where he presented multiple dissertations on his findings. He was also involved with a small group who loved Physics, meeting to discuss new theories and findings. Dr. Collins had a special bond with a friend of many years, probably because he identified himself with him as a person of integrity and high moral values, but mostly because he was his most dearest friend, Bob Hanna.

Dr. Collins was preceded in death by his parents; his son, James Vann Collins; brother, Glen Samuel Collins, Jr.; and sister, Clara Isabel Collins.

He is survived by his wife, Aura Renee Collins; son, David Russell Collins; granddaughters, Danae Marie Rice, and Jessica Marie Collins; great-grandchildren, Taylor, Keiley, James, Alejandra, Jay, Yaribeth, Nathalie, and Jayden; stepdaughters, Edith, Ingra, and Saskia; nephews, Glenn Samuel Collins III, and Roger Collins, M.D.; nieces, Delyssa Trotter, and Cristi Wuller; and all related husbands, daughters, and grandchildren.

The family will receive friends at 3:00 p.m., Friday, October 15, 2010, followed by Memorial Services at 4:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home, 6300 W. William Cannon Drive.