John W. Collins ’57 died on January 27, 2018, in Flower Mound, Texas.
(The following was published in the Appleton Post-Crescent, February 18, 2018:)
Dr. John “Jack” Wm. Collins passed away January 27 in Flower Mound, TX. He was born August 19, 1935 in Rhinebeck, NY, to the late Benjamin Collins and the late Dorothy McVickar Collins. Born a birthright Quaker (Society of Friends), Jack was baptized as an adult at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Menasha. He graduated from Oakwood Friends School in Poughkeepsie, NY, in 1953. His BS in chemistry from Bowdoin College was followed by a masters of chemistry from Middlebury, and a PhD in agricultural biochemistry from The University of Vermont. His professional career started with West Virginia Pulp & Paper Company (WESTVACO) in Covington, VA. The move to Wisconsin was for research and teaching for the Sulphite Pulp Manufacturers Research League in Appleton, which was later absorbed by The Institute of Paper Chemistry. Jack also worked for the Organic Chemicals & Products Branch of the EPA and the Food & Wood Products Branch of the EPA. Achievement highlights include seven papers written and presented to either the American Chemical Society, Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (Tappi), American Institute of Chemical Engineers, or EPA audiences, including a joint USA-Soviet Union symposium in 1979. He was married to Phyllis Goodenough 1960 to 1987. He is survived by his children Sarah (John) Lindley of Flower Mound, TX; Christopher (Kathryn) of Chicago; Alexander (Naoko) of New York City; Nathaniel of Santa Clara, CA; his grandchildren Shannon Lindley, Ashley Lindley, Maya Collins, Kenji Collins; his siblings Robert, Sarah Frias, Richard and his nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents mentioned above and his brother Benjamin. Jack’s passions were woodworking, bridge, downhill and cross-country skiing, ice hockey, long walks, and jogging; he completed a marathon in 1979. He was resourceful and crafty, even making his own wine and root beer. Jack had a lovely tenor voice; he sang in Bowdoin College Glee Club, UVM Chorus, Lawrence University Chorus, and the St. Thomas Episcopal Church Choir.