Robert Allen Collins

Robert (Bob) Allen Collins, 84, of Monroe, NC entered his eternal home on April 1, 2023, joining his parents Allen Watson Collins and Kathleen Parker Collins.

After graduating Union High School, he went on to graduate from Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC. After college, Bob went to work with Barclay’s American, later known as CIT where he rose to the position of Senior Vice President. Serving in the Army National Guard became a passion for him. He served as Lieutenant Colonel until he retired in 1999. He continued to stay involved with this military group by helping to organize support for military families in need, especially widows and children. Bob was proud to serve his country and made it a major part of his life. Many in his unit became lifelong friends. As a child, Todd so admired his Dad’s army uniform that he had his own little army outfit.

After the death of his mother, Bob continued his mother’s ministry of baking pies and cakes to take to her friends in the nursing homes and community. He followed her example and made it his regular activity to visit the sick and shut-ins in her church and his community of friends. Bob loved spending time with people and could always be counted on for a good story and encouraging words, along with gifts of seasonal fruit, special foods, and loving concern. He especially liked handing out $2 bills to children and to people who offered him assistance with walking and meeting his needs in public. Eating out with friends, especially his high school classmates, was the highlight of his day. Many people have been the recipient of his gift of writing encouraging letters when going through suffering and heartache. He inherited his mother’s gift of encouragement and will long be remembered for his thoughtfulness and kind deeds. Some of Bob’s happiest moments were times spent playing golf with his friends and riding his Harley motorcycle with buddies in his earlier years. Also his children, Todd and Allison, loved riding their Harleys with their Dad. Many happy family hours were enjoyed at the lake with their boat and at the beach.

Bob is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Mary Frances Wolfe Collins, his children, Stuart Todd (Lisa) of Monroe and Allison Collins, and step grandson, Aaron Dahl. Bob is also survived by his two loving sisters, Elaine Funderburk of Raleigh and Janet Funderburk (Ken) of Mint Hill.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00PM, Thursday, April 6, 2023 at Gordon Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow at Lakeland Memorial Park with full military honors. The family will receive friends and family prior to the service from 1:00PM until 1:45PM at Gordon Funeral Service & Crematory, 1904 Lancaster Ave., Monroe NC 28112.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Beulah Presbyterian Church Cemetery Fund, 8305 Landsford Road, Monroe, NC 28112 or to the American Diabetes Association, PO Box 7023 Merrifield, VA 22116-7023.

Online condolences may be made at www.gordonfuneralservice.com

Gordon Funeral Service & Crematory is caring for the Collins family.