Randall Joseph Collins

Randall Joseph Collins passed away peacefully on Oct.16, 2025. born August gm 1956 and was the second of four boys born to Tom & Dorothy Collins. In Randy's younger years he was very involved in sports, especially football. Music was also a big part of his life as he and brother Rick would try to copy various bands of the day from a tiny bedroom on Hughes Drive. Randy on drums and Rick on guitar with a full drum kit and massive amp crammed into a very small space. Occasionally our folks would turn the power off to the entire house so they could yell upstairs, "TURN IT DOWN!" Purple Haze continued but at a very reduced volume. He graduated from LaSalle high school in 1974 where he played QB on the Lancer football team. That summer he started working at Goss Graphic Systems. He learned various crafts while at Goss and loved to tell people he was a Master painter with a valid driver's license! It was during this time that he started playing softball and running. He could often be seen all over town on his daily runs and he competed in several marathons and various races. He was a devoted member of the Truckers softball team, and they created some great memories through all of their shenanigans. During this time Randy bought a house on 19th Ave SW and this is where he fell in love with all things Czech. The food, the people, and the heritage, he loved it all. In 2002 while enjoying some Czech fellowship at AI 's Red Frog he met Corrine and they fell in love. Their relationship lasted for the remainder of Randy's life with Corinne taking care of him in their home until it was no longer possible. After Goss closed he held a couple jobs but then started at Nordstrom where Corinne was working. He stayed for over 15 years and was loved by all. He had the "gift of gab" and loved to talk to coworkers about their lives. (Management occasionally discussed his gift with him!) Randy loved all kinds of music, but he was a Grateful Dead fan through and through. We used to ask him if he owned any shirts that weren't tie dyed. One of his greatest pleasures was watching a Cubs game while having a beer with his dear friend Kevin Dolan. It might have been during one of these games where they came up with a plan to one day move into a nursing home together, host bingo games for the residents, and sell beer for 25 cents a cup! Randy suffered from a rare disease called PSP (Progressive Supra-nuclear Palsy) and it took almost everything from him except his sense of humor which he kept until the very end. He was an amazing husband, grandpa (which he did not like being called, but sweetly Corinne's grandsons still did it) brother, uncle, friend, and a really great guy. He will be dearly missed. When you hear a Grateful Dead song playing, please think of Randy. "Listen to the river sing sweet songs to rock my soul" Randy is survived by wife Corinne, brother Kelly (Connie), brother Brian. Son in law Josh (Kim) Bell their children Colton, Bryce, Ayden. Nieces and nephews David, Libby (Becca), Jack, Joel & Bailey. He is preceded in death by his Mother & Father Tom and Dorothy Collins, and his "Irish Twin" brother Rick Collins. Randy and family would like to send a special thank you to the Mercy hospice team and the incredible staff at The Gardens that treated him with kindness. A celebration of Randy's life (Irish Wake) will be held at the Union Station Annex 172416th Ave. SW on Nov. 2nd from 1PM to 4PM. All are invited to come and share memories.