Obituary of Robert F. "Bob" Collins

Robert F. “Bob” Collins of Gallatin, passed away on Tuesday, December 26, 2023.  Funeral Service will be Friday, December 29^th at 11:00 a.m. at Sellars Family Heritage at Gallatin, with Bill Sorrells officiating.  Visitation will be Thursday, December 28^th from 1:00 – 6:00 p.m. and Friday, December 29^th from 9:00 a.m. until time of service at 11:00 a.m.  Interment will follow at Crestview Memory Gardens, with his grandchildren serving as pallbearers.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Youth Group, P.O. Box #369 Gallatin, TN  37066.

Mr. Collins is preceded in death by his parents, Homer B. Collins and Anne Knighten Collins; siblings, Marion Clouser, David “Buddy” Collins, Homer Collins, and Becky Folker.  He is survived by wife of 47 years, Cheryl Weatherford Collins of Gallatin; children, Alicia Beth Collins Varble of Gallatin, Pam Foster (Pat) of Gallatin, and Robert F. “Bobby” Collins, Jr.  (Vicky) of Hermitage; sister, Janie Kirby (Wayne) of Alvaton, KY; grandchildren, Collin Varble, Lawson Varble, Landon Varble, Hannah Varble, Patrick Foster (Kim), Daniel Foster (Rachel), Ben Foster (Erin), Rob Collins (Emma), Nicholas Collins, and Dillon Collins; great grandchildren, Hayden Foster, Ainsley Foster, Channing Collins, Hope Foster, Abigail Foster, Elijah Foster, Hudson Foster, and Howard Foster; and sitting companion “Buddy”.   

Bob was a member of and grew up in the Church of Christ, but joined First Baptist Church in Gallatin with his wife.  After his accident 23 years ago, he remained faithful and watched First Baptist’s Service on line and then watched Paoli Church of Christ where his nephew preached each week.  He graduated from Madison High School and later received an Associates Degree in Engineering from U.T. Knoxville.  Mr. Collins served in the National Guard and worked as a deputy in Davidson County and part-time in Sumner County for years under the Sheriff’s Richard Sutton, Mayo Wix, and Gary Wix.  He was a fingerprint expert for the courts and a professional photographer, photographing his first wedding when he was 15 years old.  Mr. Collins sang in a quartet in high school, for a group named “The Sports”, cutting two records and were back up to artists Brenda Lee and Nick Boone.  He built houses for Jim Walter Homes; worked for Eaton Corporation as an engineer for 12 years, and served as treasurer of the credit union for Eaton.  Bob was manufacturing manager for GF, Globe, and Murray of Ohio, where he built the largest power paint system in the world.  He was a finishing consultant that received patents on finishes and other items.  Bob traveled to China, India, and Mexico, and throughout the United States as a finishing/powder coating consultant.  He wrote monthly articles for Paint and Powder Magazine.  Bob loved to travel, cruise, and especially go to Florida to eat oysters.  Online condolences may be submitted at familyheritagefh.com.

Sellars Family Heritage at Gallatin, 100 E. Albert Gallatin Avenue, Gallatin, TN  37066.  615-452-7115. Obituary line 615-452-5900.  E-mail:  familyheritagefh@gmail.com. Website:  familyheritagefh.com.