John William Collins

John William Collins, age 85, passed away peacefully on October 14, 2026, at La Posada in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. He was born July 11, 1941, in Maysville, Kentucky, a son of the late William "Bertie” and Naomi Kalb Collins.

Fascinated by the science behind what "made machines tick,” John attended the University of Kentucky to study engineering. After graduating with a master's degree, he started a job in West Palm Beach, Florida, as a mechanical engineer with Pratt & Whitney. His 44-year-long career was marked by great achievements, including his work designing and engineering key components for the American Space Shuttle program.

After moving to Florida, John met his wife, Charlotte. They married on June 27, 1970, in Lake Park, Florida. Outside of work and spending time with his family, John spent much of his time woodworking, maintaining his home, tinkering, and solving every puzzle under the sun. His methodical engineering mind served him well in hobbies that required curiosity, patience, and analytical thinking.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Charlotte; his sister, Susan (Jerry) Schell of Lexington, Kentucky; two loving children, Maria (Peter) Watne of Minnetrista, Minnesota, and Bill (Jenny) Collins of Jupiter, Florida; and five grandchildren whom he loved dearly, Rachel, Erin, Thomas, Shawn, and Sebastian.

In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his sister Carol Jane Collins.

A funeral service celebrating John's life and legacy will be held on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Jupiter, Florida. All who knew and loved John are invited to join the family in honoring his memory.