"to pat we just found out about max and are sorry to hear about his passing. we will miss him very much. i know we knew him for such a short time, but the time we spent with him and you, pat is very special to us. we have such special memories of max, and i know he touched many lives and will not be forgotten duane and lola williams "
In loving memory of
Max Allan Collins, Sr.
February 23, 1922 - February 23, 2000
Max Allan Collins, Sr. MUSCATINE - Max Allan Collins, Sr., 78, of 2022 Fair Acres Dr., died Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2000, at Unity Hospital. Services will be 1:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home. The Rev. James Trosen of the Faith United Church will officate. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery Mausoleum. A luncheon will be held at the Faith United Church of Christ following the committal service. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Max Allan Collins, Sr. Music Scholarship Fund. Mr. Collins was born on Feb. 23, 1922, in Grand Junction, the son of Allan Basil and Olive Mae MacGregor Collins. He married Patricia Rushing on April 15, 1944, in Indianola. He was a World War II veteran serving in the US Navy in the South Pacific Theater as a Lt. Junior Grade. He graduated from Simpson College in 1947 and received his Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Iowa in 1955. He taught for nine years at Muscatine High School from 1947 to 1956, and also at Muscatine Community College as their Music Director. He served as the Minister of Music at the First Baptist Church in Muscatine and also the First Methodist Church from 1947 to 1981. He was Vice-President of Human Relations at HON Industries for 31 years and after his retirement he was a consultant for HON and other companies. In 1999, he received Rotary's Bob Roach Citizen of the Year Award. He had served as a board member and president of the Muscatine Chamber of Commerce and the Muscatine Civic Music Association. He also served on numerous boards including the United Way of Muscatine; the Musser Public Library; YMCA; and the Simpson Alumni Association. In 1997, he was awarded the Simpson College Alumni Loyalty Award. He co-wrote an operetta with his friend, the late Keith Larson, and also wrote a number of choral songs. He was an avid golfer and a loyal Hawkeye fan. He was a member of the Faith United Church of Christ and the Elks Lodge No. 304 where he directed the Elks Chanters for 51 years and was in the process of preparing the 52nd Annual Spring Show. He was the Elk of the Year in 1977. Survivors include his wife, Patricia Collins of Muscatine; one son, Max Allan Collins, Jr. and his wife, Barbara, of Muscatine; one grandson, Nathan Collins of Muscatine; one brother, Mahlon Collins of Anaheim, California. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Tributes
"Lana and I have been out of town and wish to extend our sincere sympathies to the Collins family. Max was always so kind to us both. We will miss him. Kevin M. Fitzgerald"
"Mrs. Collins and Allan - What a great man he was! Whenever I think of Muscatine I think of the Elks shows and the Geneva Country Club shows he directed. He was so much fun - so patient -so incredibly talented. I know it is a tremendous loss for all of your family. All of us in Muscatine were lucky to know him. My prayers are with you. Marti Phillips Allbright"
"Max hired me at HON INDUSTRIES and I will always be grateful for it. He also encouraged me to join the Chanters which turned out to be 11 of the happiest years of my life. I loved Max. He was always kind and encouraging. He had a geat sense of humor and was a great example to all who knew him. He was a visionary at HON and the dreams of Max Stanley and Stan Howe came to life and took shape through Max's efforts."
"I will miss Max, who has been a part of my live for literally as long as I can remember. I regret not being in Muscatine, to be a part of the celebration of his life. Thank you, Max."
"Dear Pat and family, We were saddened to learn today of Max's death. We have many fond of memories of him and the Chanters. Wendell is proud to have been a part of the group. Blessing and prayers. Carol & Wendell"
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"Max, your husband and father, had a major impact on many lives--including mine in the early 50s. Among other things I learned to respect and love high standards of performance. His enthusiasm and talents have greatly enriched my life from high school on, and he holds a firm place in my memories. May the many memories he has given you and the love and support of your many friends and family help sustain you all as you cope with his passing. Peace be with you. Jane Hoopes Robinson "
"I'm so sorry to learn of Max's passing. Max was a great inspiration to me as a young manager at HON. God bless you in your time of sorry. My thoughts and prayers are with you."
"I graduated from MHS in 1952 and through the years I have had many fond memories of Mr. Collins. He did many things for kids and later for the community at large. His passing will leave a void in Muscatine."
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"Pat: Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Max was one of the finest. Muscataine will grieve his loss for years to come. Max was a legend and someone I always looked up to. The amount of time Max devoted to the Chanters will never be replaced or matched by anyone."
"My memories are of a simpler time in small little drugstore on Mulberry where I worked through high school 1969-1971. I looked forward to the smiling faces of the many regular customers that would come in for a coke or milk shake. Max Collins was one of the special ones that always had something good to say to brighten a day. God's comfort to all his family and friends. This world's loss is Heaven's gain."
"Thoughts and Prayers."
"Pat our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family."
"One of the finest men I have ever known. We will miss our dinners here in Naples. Our love to Pat and family"
"Our sincerest sympathy."