Obituary: Robert David Collins, 74, of Madison

Information via Guilford Funeral Home

Robert David Collins of Madison, Connecticut, died at the age of 74 on March 3rd, 2018 at Connecticut Hospice, after a long battle with Parkinson’s. “Bobby” was born in New Haven on December 15, 1943, and was the son of George J. Collins, Ed. D, J.D. and Orien F. Collins and younger brother of George, Jr. As a result of his father’s career, Bobby spent his youth moving from city to city: West Haven, New York City, Hartsdale, and Albuquerque.

He attended three different high schools in four years, the McBurney School, White Plains HS, and Sandia HS. He was an avid swimmer and baseball, basketball, hockey, and football player growing up. His claim to fame came when he bloodied Ralph Nealy’s nose, later a tackle for the Dallas Cowboys, in the big city football showdown in Albuquerque.

After graduating from New Mexico State University with a B.S. in Education, Bobby returned to West Haven, where he met his future wife, Brenda. Bobby was the last engine service employee hired by the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad in 1968. As a Locomotive Engineer, he operated trains between New York, New Haven, Boston, Albany, and Springfield. He was promoted to Engineer Training Instructor with the Penn Central Transportation Company in 1974.

In that position, he was directly involved in the training and promotion of all the Locomotive Engineers employed by the Penn Central, Conrail, Amtrak, and Metro North Commuter Railroad for the next several years. In 1984 he returned to operating trains and chose to transfer to Amtrak. He was elected Local Chairman of Division 77 of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, representing all in New Haven, Springfield, and New York in contract negotiations. While a Local Chairman he participated in the original planning of what was to become the Acela high-speed rail program.

He was the union representative designated to travel to Europe to review their approaches to high-speed rail and how they might be adapted for future implementation in the U.S. In 1996 Bobby returned to operating trains and was a sought after instructor by engineer trainees.

With the startup of High Speed Rail Service in 2000, Bobby became a special duty engineer instructor on the new Acela equipment and was awarded the Engineer’s Achievement Award. As a natural trainer and effective coach, he spent many hours instructing other engineers on the complexities of this radically new equipment. He chose to retire in 2008 upon completion of a noteworthy and productive 40-year career.

Bobby is survived by his loving wife and friend of 48 years, Brenda, and his children, Derek of San Diego, CA, Justin of Scarsdale, NY, and Courtney of Denver, CO, his brother George, Jr. of Fisher Island, FL, three grandchildren, Parker, Violet and Maggie, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. When he wasn’t working, he made great sacrifices to coach and support his children’s many athletic endeavors. Bobby had a passion for walking his dog, Caeley, in and around his neighborhood. He loved playing golf with his brother and friends throughout the shoreline. He persistently rooted for the UConn basketball teams, the Boston Red Sox and the Dallas Cowboys.

He was an avid runner, having once completed the Boston Marathon in 1981. Bobby enjoyed traveling, especially to visit his children in California, Colorado, Florida, Venezuela, and Japan. He was a devout parishioner of Saint Margaret Roman Catholic Church. Special thanks to the staff at Yale NH Hospital, Evergreen Woods in North Branford and Connecticut Hospice.

The spirit of Bobby lives on his children and grandchildren. May he forever be remembered for his loyalty, kindness, sincerity, and passion for his family and friends. Friends are invited to calling hours at the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church Street, Guilford on Thursday, March 8 from 4 – 7 pm. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday, March 9 at 11am at St. Margaret’s Church, 24 Academy St, Madison. Burial will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bobby's name to the Michael J. Fox Foundation PO Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014; https://www.michaeljfox.org/ge... ; for Parkinson’s Research.