Raymond L. Collins

1932 - 2016

Raymond L. Collins
May 25, 1932 - March 15, 2016
Resident of San Jose
Raymond L. Collins, inventor, lifelong radio and communications devotee, and the president and co-founder of Telewave, Inc. died on March 15, 2016, in San Jose, CA.
Mr. Collins grew up in rural Washington state where he built and operated his own amateur radio gear. He worked for several broadcast radio stations, among them KIMA-AM in Yakima, WA, where he was the sales manager and also delivered commercials on-air.
Collins served in the U.S. Army and National Guard and worked extensively with radio-controlled aircraft drones used for training combat gunners. Following his military service, he worked for RCA for 4 years, then moved to Motorola for the next 16 years as a territory manager in the San Francisco Bay Area.
In 1972, Collins co-founded Telewave, Inc. to provide custom-built filtering and power monitoring devices not widely available at the time. His contributions to the field of radio frequency management, both in the U.S. and internationally, were inestimable.
At the helm of Telewave, Inc. up until the time of his passing, Collins's reputation as a tireless worker was legendary. His absence will be deeply felt within the company and across the industry, and his legacy will continue through his dedicated staff and loyal team.
Ray Collins was active with the Communications Marketing Association and served as its President in 1988 and 1989. He was also a Fellow in the Radio Club of America and was honored as the recipient of their prestigious Henri Busignies Memorial Award in 2015.
In addition to presiding over his successful and internationally renowned company, Ray Collins was a man of broad experience and skill. At various times in life, he was known to be a cowboy, a farmer, a sailor, a cutting edge entrepreneur, an able pilot, and truly captain of his own ship. He was a Mason, a mentor, a world traveler, a true connoisseur of life and, of course, a loving son, husband, father, step-father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend.
Collins is survived by his beloved wife, Isabella, two children, four step-children, two brothers and a large extended family. He was predeceased by his son, Rick, who died in 2013.
Contributions in his memory can be made to the Radio Club of America, 4248 Park Glen Road, Minneapolis, MN 55416, or to a charity of your choice.


View the online memorial for Raymond L. Collins