Obituary of Bernard D. Collins

Bernard “Pick” Collins of Coralville passed away on Wednesday, May 18, 2005, after a courageous battle with Multiple Myeloma at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, May 20, 2005, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Iowa city with the Reverend Michael Phillips and Steve Rachke officiating. Burial with military honors will take place at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Bowling Green, Ohio on Sunday. Visitation will be today from 4 to 7pm at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City, where a sharing of memories gathering will be at 7pm. In Lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Pick’s memory to The Holden Cancer Center or Rotary International. Online condolences may be sent for his family through our website @www.gayandciha.com. He was born in North Baltimore, OH on September 9, 1931, to Clayton and Amelia Collins. He married Patricia Jean Scott in Bowling Green, OH in 1953. Pick graduated from Bowling Green State University in 1954 and entered the United States Military Service. He served for 20 years as a field artillery officer and army aviator with one tour to Vietnam, one tour to Korea, two tours to Germany. Pick flew 5000 hours in plane and helicopter as pilot, co-pilot or instructor pilot. He had 940 hours of helicopter combat flying in Vietnam. Lt. Col Collins concluded his duty as a Professor of Military Science at the University of Iowa ROTC program. Pick’s awards include; The Legion of Merit, Armed Forces Medal, National Defense Service, Vietnam Service and Campaign Medals, Army Commendation Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Bronze Star Medal with V, 1999 Will J. Hayek Award Recipient, and Master Aviator Badge. Upon retiring Pick worked for the University of Iowa for 15 years. Pick was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity; Pick has served in the past as a member of St. Thomas Moore Council, Regina School Board, The Reserve Officers Association, and Chairman of the Coralville Centennial Parade in 1973, and has coached Little League Baseball and Flag Football teams. He is a Paul Harris Fellow and currently serves as Sergeant-At-Arms for Noon Rotary Club. A tenure volunteer for Meals-On-Wheels, Pick and his wife have also participated in “Sponsor Couples” for St. Mary’s Catholic Church. He was also was honored on the Veterans Trail here in Johnson County. Pick was an avid Hawkeye fan, enjoyed watching the Cub Baseball team. He was an avid beekeeper, and enjoyed boating with his family and friends. He is survived by his wife of 51 years Patricia. Son Christopher (Beth) Collins, grandchildren Dani, Kristin, Jessica and Jo Beth of Clarksville, TN. Daughter Mary Beth (Tom) Sundblad, grandchildren Nathan (Sara) Sundblad, Melinda (Greg) Lybeck of Iowa City. Son Peter (Karen) Collins, grandchildren Aaron, Shaun, Lucas of Carlisle, PA. Son Mark (Kathy) Collins, grandchildren Courtney, Scott, Tommy of Fayetteville, AR. Great-Grandchildren, Chloe and Isaac Lybeck. His mother Amelia Collins of Rudolf, OH. Sister Beverly Haas of Weston, OH. He is preceded in death by his father Clayton Collins and four sons Scott Bernard, Michael Tyron, Jeffery Joseph, and Bernard Deloy Junior.