Allen Foster Collins

Allen Foster Collins passed away on Tuesday, November 24, 2020, surrounded by the love of family near and far. His gentle spirit and loving kindness shone brightly throughout his life, most vividly in the unconditional love he gave his family. Allen’s shy disposition belied the quick wit and dry humor that sparked many belly laughs among his companions. He found his calling as a devoted daddy and grandpa and will be held tenderly in the hearts of his loved ones until they are reunited. Allen Foster Collins was born in Deadwood, South Dakota, on the day the Allies of World War II accepted Germany’s unconditional surrender, May 8, 1945, to Martin and Orpha (Scovel) Collins. He grew up in Grizzly Gulch, South Dakota, the sixth of eleven children in a tightknit family. Innately intelligent, he excelled in academics and participated in Boys State in high school. As a young man, Allen attended Black Hills State Teachers College. Despite his gentle temperament, he then found himself in the Army. A military IQ test revealed his genius IQ, so the Army put him to work in the accounting department for the duration of his service in Vietnam and Germany. On leave, he traveled to London and Amsterdam. Later, he joined his dad and older brother Gary in the family business, Collins Construction, and contributed his multitude of talents to construction projects all over the Black Hills. He loved sports and spent many lunch breaks playing basketball at the rec center. He also bowled in the local league and spent decades supporting the Green Bay Packers, Denver Broncos, and Denver Nuggets. He met his soulmate, Dugan, in 1981. They married just four months later and had two daughters, Colter and Skyler. Allen read stories to his young children at night, taught them to play cards and board games (and never let them win!), and obliged their many requests for him to sing to them. Though Allen experienced much physical pain in his life, particularly from rheumatoid arthritis, he focused on the positive. Later in life, he enjoyed reading the newspaper, watching Jeopardy, and doing crossword puzzles. He cooked a fiery chili and a much-loved holiday stuffing, watched movies with Dugan, worked Sudoku puzzles with Colter, and spent long hours on the phone with Skyler. Allen felt a special bond with his grandchildren, Katie and Jeffrey Fisk, and spent as much time with them as possible. Left to celebrate Allen’s life are his wife, Dugan, Denver, CO; daughters, Colter (Ed) Collins Fisk, Denver, CO, and Skyler Collins, Austin, TX; grandchildren Jeffrey and Katie Fisk, Denver, CO; siblings, Gary H. Collins, Spearfish, SD, Margaret A. (Cameron) Rinegar, Belle Fourche, SD, Jack L. (Ramona) Collins, Spearfish, SD, Jean Collins, Fort Collins, CO, Joan (Bob Blinderman) Collins, Fort Collins, CO, Ellen (Les) Erikson, Sturgis, SD, and Janie (Duane) Stall, Sioux Falls, SD; and many nieces and nephews. Allen was preceded in death by his parents; brother James Collins; sisters Carolyn Davis and Kathy Veltman; brother-in-law Chuck Davis; nephew Shane Allen Ommen; and niece Cindy L. Soppe. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.