A. Robert "Bob" Collins

He was born to Arthur B. and Virginia (Fleck) Collins on December 25, 1949, in Englewood, NJ. Bob grew up in Millburn, NJ and was a 1968 graduate of Millburn High School.

Robert proudly served his country in the New Jersey Army National Guard.

Bob was a resident of Fitzwilliam for the past 48 years. He worked for 25 years at Troy Mills in Troy, NH. He served as a first-aid responder with the Troy Ambulance for several years and coached his sons little league baseball teams.

Bob enjoyed spending time with his family, playing games, listening to music, and just hanging out on a sunny summer day. He was a humorous storyteller and always had a recollection, a quip, or even a tall tale to share. Bob enjoyed country life to the fullest. He was a homesteader who tried his hand at raising livestock, growing his own food, and endeavors of self-sufficiency. Bob was fond of gardening, landscaping. kayaking, long motorcycle rides, tinkering, operating machinery - his backhoe, photography and observation of nature. He enjoyed learning new things. Most recently he earned a ham radio license as a novel way to keep in touch with his family (73 Bob!). He found enjoyment in maintaining his freshwater aquariums. Bob was also a talented homebrewer who experimented with various hops and grains to concoct the perfectly balanced brew. He even grew his own hops. Bob enjoyed grilling, smoking meats, baking bread and cooking delicious meals. He may have perfected the Thanksgiving feast. Bob had a variety of interests, knowledge, abilities and perspectives, but most importantly, he loved time with his family and had a special relationship with each of his 6 grandchildren.

He will be greatly missed by many, especially his wife of 45 years, Catherine "Cathy" (Moes) Collins of Fitzwilliam; his children, daughter, Jenny Chumley and her husband, Jeffery, of Kearneysville, WV, sons, Francis Collins and his wife, Monika, of Nashua, NH, Robert Collins and his wife, Kelly, of Stoddard, NH; his six grandchildren, Nicholas Dean, Jr., Catherine Dean, Natalia Collins, Eliott Collins, Lucas Collins, Lauren Collins; his sisters, Kathleen Collins of Royalston, MA, Patricia Kirchner and her husband, Robert, of Stockton, NJ, Barbara Collins of Troy, NH; and two nieces, a nephew and extended family members.

A memorial and celebration of Bob’s life will be held on Friday, December 29, 2023 at 11:30AM in the Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street, Keene.

In lieu of flowers, for those who wish, donations may be made in Mr. Collins’ memory to the Fitzwilliam Fire and Ambulance Service, PO Box 725, Fitzwilliam, NH 03447.