Robert Collins, Sr.

Graveside services are scheduled at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 9, at Woodbine Cemetery for Robert Bob Collins of Artesia, New Mexico.

Mr. Collins, 89, died Saturday, December 6, 2014 at Eastern New Mexico Medical Center in Roswell, New Mexico.

Pastor Kenneth Heck will officiate at the services.

Robert was born August 13, 1925 in Artesia, New Mexico the son of Earl Collins and Buela Page Collins, the oldest son of four children. He graduated from Artesia High School in 1943 and servced in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II in the 769th Unit receiving a honorable discharge.

Robert attended flight training under the VA program and received his commercial license in 1948, adding ratings of flight instructor, instrument, and ground instructor. He worked for Hazel Flying Services in Artesia until 1950, when he moved to Texas. He worked as OperatorManager for Winston Field Airport in Snyder, Texas until 1955 and moved to Conroe, Texas as a Pipe Line Patrol Pilot where he added 14,500 hours in singleengine time over the next 10 years.

From 1965 until 1973, Bob worked at Houston Northwest Aviation, Inc. in Tomball, Texas, eventually becoming Vice President and Chief Instructor. In 1973, Bob opened the third Mr. Hardware, store in Houston, Texas, but soon returned to flying in 1976 at Houston Northwest Aviation under new management.

In 1979, Bob moved back to Artesia, with his family and worked as manager of Artesia Municipal Airport for the city and opened operations for a flight school, maintenance shop, and aircraft sales. During this period he was also a written examiner for the FAA.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers James and Richard Collins.

He is survived by his sister Jane Collins of Weed, N.M. children Bruce Collins and wife Stacy of Texas and their children Sharon and Timothy Jeanne Caudle of Texas Wendy Rodgers and husband Gene of Artesia and their children Kristen Maley and husband Jeff Jerry Rogers and wife Stephanie and their daughter Scarlet Susan Cotham and husband Phil of Albuquerque, and their children Christopher Smith and wife Denise, Michelle Swafford and husband Justin and their sons Justin and Trenton, and Victoria Tori Smith Robert E. Collins, Jr. and wife Mary of Texas and their children Brittany and her daughter Paige, Justin Collins, and Brandon Collins and Michael Collins of Maryland and his children Austin Collins and son Nicholas and Tyler Collins, which includes 12 grandchildren and 5 greatgrandchildren.

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