Thomas Watts Collier

Tom was my academic advisor and taught a couple of my favorite classes while at Michigan from 1993 -1997. My Father was also a Veitnam Vet (fighter jet pilot). Tom helped guide me through class selection my Junior and Senior year and I attribute his advice and guidance as a reason I am where I am at in my career and as a man. God Bless Professor Collier, RIP

Let me add my rather late voice to the chorus praising Prof. Collier. I took several of his classes at the University of Michigan and they remain in my memory, some three decades later, as among the very best I ever had. I was curious what happened to him after I graduated, and I found he has passed on. He was among the kindest and most patient educators I ever had the pleasure of encountering, and I came within a hair's breadth of pursuing graduate work in military history because of him. In the end, I became an environmental historian instead and I now teach history at the University of Georgia. But every semester, I lecture to US survey classes about Vietnam, and every time I do, I think of him and tell my students how much he influenced me. Many thanks for the inspiration.

Hi! My name is Jennifer, and I was a student of Mr. Collier's while I attended the University of Michigan. I am sending my condolences and prayers to the family. I just found out about his passing. He was a special human being. I took 2 of his classes:). I will always remember him; his matter-of-fact, no-nonsense way of teaching and his humor were always great. He had a gift for teaching what he knew, what he experienced...not only regarding war, but regarding humanity, its injustices and passions. My dear professor, you will be missed.

My wife and I met Tom a few times over the years. He was always a perfect gentleman who was an inspiration and mentor to our son regarding their continued interest and expertise in military history and regarding life in general.
Our memory of Tom is one of honor, gratitude, and the highest esteem for him as a teacher.
He is missed but his legacy lives.
Michael DiPietro, MD
Professor Emeritus
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor

He was an amazing teacher: thoughtful, reflective, and eager to connect with his students. I still occasionally reread some of the books he assigned, and think about the big ideas that were woven through his lectures. I feel lucky to have studied with him.

WONDERFUL AULL OF LIFE TEACHER AND OBVIOUS DEFENDER OF OUR COUNTRY.

Tom was one of the best professors I had at Michigan, and his class set me firmly on the path to study history. He brought his lectures to life with his passion, erudition, and stories of his own experiences. We kept in touch after he retired. As I've developed my own college teaching career, Tom is one of the exemplars I reflect on. May his memory be eternal.

I have such fond memories of Uncle Tom. I especially remember a Christmas we spent with him, Aunt Vi and their family in Monterey, even though I was pretty young. He led such an interesting life and it was always nice to see him.

I met Tom in the early 1980s when my parents and I worked to promote nuclear arms control. We all admired Tom and were glad to have his friendship as well as his involvement in educating people about the fallacy of nuclear weapons. Tom was an expert who spoke with quiet authority. I was lucky to have him as an instructor at the University of Michigan and as a mentor.

Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.