Patrick Victor Collins passed away at his home on March 8, 2009, after a courageous battle with melanoma.
Patrick was born in Aberdeen, S.D., on Feb. 14, 1955, to Victor and Lucille Collins. Pat attended Plana School, a two-room country school with one other person in his class, his best friend, Rod Everson. They shared a wonderful childhood filled with fishing at the "Jim" River, hunting gophers and riding their motorcycles. Pat grew up on a small farm near Columbia helping with milking cows, feeding cattle and growing crops. Pat was active in 4H, and served as president of the Brown County 4H Council. He attended junior and senior high school in Groton, S.D. Upon graduation from Groton High School, Pat attended South Dakota State University as a Briggs Scholar. In 1977, he graduated with a B.S. in Economics with high honors.
On Aug. 14, 1976, Pat married Margaret Cameron of Pierpont, S.D. In each other they found their lifelong friend, lover, partner and true companion. Their marriage was blessed with two incredible sons, Cameron in 1984, followed by Christopher in 1987.
Patrick went on to attend Stanford Law School and graduated in 1980. At that time, Pat and Margaret moved to Boise, Idaho. Pat began his legal career at Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull. In keeping with his degree in Economics, he moved in 1981 to the Idaho Department of Finance. After two years, he was hired as assistant general counsel for First Interstate Bank of Idaho. In 1987, he was recruited by Hawley Troxell Ennis and Hawley to work in its banking practice group. Pat's law practice centered on banking and real estate law, and he continued the firm's representation of the Idaho Banker's Association, which began with Jess Hawley in the 1960s. During his years at Hawley Troxell, he served in the capacity of leader of the Banking Practice Group, head of the Business Department and on the Board of Partners. For the past six years, he was honored to serve as managing partner of the firm.
Pat is a past president of the board of directors of the Friends of Children and Families Inc. (Head Start), and served on the Idaho Business Coalition for Excellence in Education. He served as a member of the board of directors of the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games, and in the capacity of general counsel.
Pat began playing the guitar at age 11. Music had a profound influence throughout his life, and he never stopped playing. He made his college spending money by singing in a rock 'n' roll band. His boys grew up listening to dad sing and play his guitar, and he was thrilled when they both followed in his footsteps and learned to play. Over the years, Pat wrote and home-recorded many original songs. One of the high points of his life was going to Nashville this past August to professionally record six of his songs.
Pat was preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother. He is survived by his wife, Margaret, and their sons, Cameron and Christopher, his brothers Daniel (Carol) and Timothy, and his sister, Colleen Jensen (Jerry).
Following his diagnosis, Pat's mantra became, "I will live each day with optimism, humor and joy."
We would like to thank Dr. Stephanie Hodson, Dr. Timothy Sawyer, Holly Swenson APRN/NP, and the staff at the St. Alphonsus Cancer Care Center for helping him to do so. We would also like to thank Four Rivers Hospice for their care and support.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Patrick Collins Reflection of Life Fund to benefit the St. Alphonsus Cancer Care Center: www.saintalphonsus.org/foundationlreflectionoflifefund.
A memorial service was held Monday, March 16, in Boise. Private family inurnment services were at Morris Hill Cemetery.
