Robert Luther Collins

1919 - 2010

Robert Luther Collins 1919 - 2010 Robert Luther Collins was born on September 24, 1919 in Ardmore, Oklahoma. He was the first child of Luther "Boss" and Velma Collins. Robert joined the Army in 1939. Attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant, Robert trained troops while stationed at Camp Roberts. While on leave in Bakersfield, Robert met Cathron Mary Frederick. They married in October of 1941 and over their 69 years of marriage they had three children: Robert, Barbara and Julie. After the birth of his first child, Robert shipped out to New Guinea with the 112th Regimental Combat team. Robert and the 112th were poised to invade Japan when the atomic bomb was dropped and the war ended. His team went into Japan as a peacekeeping team. Robert was discharged in October of 1945 and returned with his family to Bakersfield. Robert first worked making potato pickers, then as a welder's helper and then in the oilfields. In the oilfields, now known as Bob, he started out as a roughneck, made derrick man after nine months and was a driller within the year. He drilled for two years and then in 1947 became a tool pusher until retirement in 1984. Whether you called him Robert or Bob, or Daddy or Uncle, or Grandpa or Poppy, he was a man who brought out the best in us all. In the family he was best known for his crazy sayings, going boating on the lake and teaching friends and family how to water ski, taking motorhome trips and for his amazing barbeque. He loved his family, especially all of the children, and he was loved back. Bob Collins died on November 6th at home surrounded by family. He is survived by his wife Cathron, sisters Jessie Dickerson and Joy Dial, his children Robert Collins, Barbara Norman, Julie Ward and husband Richard, 8 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandson. He will be missed. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 12th, at St. Francis Catholic Church with interment following at Greenlawn Cemetery River Blvd. followed by a celebration of life in the St. Francis Parish Hall. Doughty-Calhoun-O'Meara www.bakersfield.com/obits