Lt. Richard Wallace Collins “Rip” received his eternal wings on November 30, 2012. Rip was a father, husband, devout Christian, Aggie and former fighter pilot in 35th Fighter Wing, 40th Fighter Squadron, WWII. Born November 11, 1923, in the Houston Heights to Donald Lee and Sarah Posey Collins, he moved to Joinerville, Texas where he graduated from Gaston High School. He attended Texas A&M until joining the Army Air Corp in 1942. As a Fighter Pilot of P-51s and P47s in the Pacific Theater, Rip flew 92 missions against the Japanese. While escorting B-29s flying to Japan, he saw the atomic bomb detonate over Nagasaki.
After his service, Rip returned to A&M to receive his Bachelor of Architecture. After graduation, he worked as a contractor in Victoria and Houston and, late in life, became a Representative for Aid Association for Lutherans.
Rip loved
Rip is survived by his wife of 29 years, Marilyn; his son, Richard Ronald Collins DDS and wife, Sharon; daughter, Rue Elaine Collins Wright and husband, Bill and stepdaughter, Allison Elaine Finer Afuta and husband, Meir. His grandchildren are Cara Dawn Collins; Richard Dath Collins, DDS and wife, Angie; Paul Tapley Collins; Sarah Ashley Harmon Duncan and husband, Trey and Caleb Joseph Harmon. Great grandchildren are Bella Rue and Cade Wesley Duncan and Richard Harrison Collins. Scotties: Babs and Scot.
A memorial service will be officiated by Reverend Steven Simon at 11 am Saturday, December 8 at Christ Memorial Lutheran Church located at 14200 Memorial Drive, Houston 77079, and burial will be at 2:30 pm Monday, December 10 at Houston National Cemetery.
Much love and appreciation is extended to the Palliative Care Unit of the VA Hospital for their care of Rip.
Memorials may be made to Christ Memorial Lutheran Church.
*************************************
HIGH FLIGHT
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silver wings,
Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
of sun-split clouds, –and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of—wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I’ve chased the shouting wind along and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace.
where never lark, or even eagle flew—
And, while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod
the high untrespassed sanctity of space,
-Put out my hand, and touched the face of God
John Gillespie Magee, Jr.
Services
Graveside Service
Mon. Dec. 10, 2012
2:30 pm
Houston National Cemetery
10410 Veterans Memorial Drive
Houston , TX 77038.
Funeral Service
Sat. Dec. 8, 2012
11:00 am
Christ Memorial Lutheran Church
14200 Memorial Drive
Houston , TX 77079.
Houston National Cemetery
Houston , TX 77038.
Christ Memorial Lutheran Church
Houston , TX 77079.
Houston , TX 77038.
Houston , TX 77079.
Lt. Richard Wallace Collins “Rip” received his eternal wings on November 30, 2012. Rip was a father, husband, devout Christian, Aggie and former fighter pilot in 35th Fighter Wing, 40th Fighter Squadron, WWII. Born November 11, 1923, in the Houston Heights to Donald Lee and Sarah Posey Collins, he moved to Joinerville, Texas where he graduated from Gaston High School. He attended Texas A&M until joining the Army Air Corp in 1942. As a Fighter Pilot of P-51s and P47s in the Pacific Theater, Rip flew 92 missions against the Japanese. While escorting B-29s flying to Japan, he saw the atomic bomb detonate over Nagasaki.
After his service, Rip returned to A&M to receive his Bachelor of Architecture. After graduation, he worked as a contractor in Victoria and Houston and, late in life, became a Representative for Aid Association for Lutherans.
Rip loved
music, evangelism, men’s bible group for which he wrote lessons for 7 years, electronics and Scotties. He participated in the AFA, CAF and Eagles and founded the 40th Fighter Flight Test Squadron Association.
Rip is survived by his wife of 29 years, Marilyn; his son, Richard Ronald Collins DDS and wife, Sharon; daughter, Rue Elaine Collins Wright and husband, Bill and stepdaughter, Allison Elaine Finer Afuta and husband, Meir. His grandchildren are Cara Dawn Collins; Richard Dath Collins, DDS and wife, Angie; Paul Tapley Collins; Sarah Ashley Harmon Duncan and husband, Trey and Caleb Joseph Harmon. Great grandchildren are Bella Rue and Cade Wesley Duncan and Richard Harrison Collins. Scotties: Babs and Scot.
A memorial service will be officiated by Reverend Steven Simon at 11 am Saturday, December 8 at Christ Memorial Lutheran Church located at 14200 Memorial Drive, Houston 77079, and burial will be at 2:30 pm Monday, December 10 at Houston National Cemetery.
Much love and appreciation is extended to the Palliative Care Unit of the VA Hospital for their care of Rip.
Memorials may be made to Christ Memorial Lutheran Church.
*************************************
HIGH FLIGHT
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silver wings,
Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
of sun-split clouds, –and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of—wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I’ve chased the shouting wind along and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace.
where never lark, or even eagle flew—
And, while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod
the high untrespassed sanctity of space,
-Put out my hand, and touched the face of God
John Gillespie Magee, Jr.
Guest Book