Charles Robert Collins

Charles Robert "Bob" Collins, 83, of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away peacefully on March 7, 2026. He was born on September 1, 1942, in Brunswick, Georgia, to Charlie and Mary Edith Collins.

In 1964, Bob married his devoted wife, Patricia "Lynn" Neff, beginning a loving partnership that spanned 62 years and was filled with family, faith, and shared accomplishments.

Among Bob's many meaningful achievements was his service as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Brazil from 1962 to 1964. He later served his country as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Army and was deployed in combat to Vietnam from 1967 to 1968.

After his military service, Bob graduated from the Phoenix Police Academy in 1970. He went on to serve as an investigator with the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office from 1978 to 1980 while attending law school at Brigham Young University Law School. Specializing in organized crime, he collaborated with the Federal Bureau of Investigation on complex and high-stakes cases.

After graduating from law school in 1980, Bob represented the Tulalip Tribes before the Supreme Court of the United States. He continued to run a successful law practice for more than four decades, retiring in 2025. Throughout his legal career, he was known as a tenacious yet compassionate advocate for justice.

A man of deep and abiding faith, Bob was devoted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many capacities over the years, most notably as a bishop, offering quiet wisdom and guidance to those in his congregation.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents and his daughter, Kelly (1974–2025).

He is survived by his beloved wife, Lynn; his sisters, Nickey Greene (Willard) and Linda Burns (Terry); and his children: Tina Strong (Bob), Robert Collins (Jessica), Joseph Collins (Sharon), Debbie Hale (Jerry), Mary Collins (Christofer Gendreau), Jon Collins (Heather), Daniel Collins (Melia), Tracy Gardner (Eric), Leslie Hatch (Joshua), and Matthew Collins (Megan). He also leaves behind many cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Services

Viewing: Thursday, March 12, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.

Funeral Service: 2:40 p.m.

Services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4242 E. Waltann Lane, Phoenix, Arizona.

A private interment with military honors will take place at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary's Food Bank or to a local church mission fund in Bob's honor.

Live Stream Link: https://vimeo.com/event/5786932

Recorded Video Link: https://vimeo.com/1171965615