Obituary of Russell Maul Collins, Jr.

Russell Maul Collins, Jr, 87, of Hilton Head Island SC died peacefully at home surrounded by his family after a long struggle with Dementia on February 6, 2021. He was born June 15, 1933 in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was the son of the late Russell Maul Collins, Sr and Mary Carpenter Collins.

Russ graduated from St. Paul Academy in 1951 and received a Mathematics degree from MIT in 1955. After graduation he went to Germany to study Mathematics as a Fulbright Scholar at Muenster and Tubingen Universities where he fell in love with Karla Leow, the love of his life. They were married in St. Paul MN in 1956. Russ was a post graduate student at the University of Minnesota and a Danforth Fellow pursuing a career as a Math Professor. While attending MIT in Boston he took a summer job at the John Hancock Life Insurance Company and became interested in Actuarial Science. After only 5 years he became a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries. Russ worked as an actuary and executive officer of insurance companies and as an actuarial consultant in St. Paul, New York City and Philadelphia. He also taught Mathematics and Actuarial Science at various universities in those cities along with Newark NJ and published several research and professional articles.

In addition to the Society of Actuaries, Russ was a member of the International Actuaries Association, the Academy of Actuaries, the National Association of Security Dealers, Lloyds of London, and the American Council of Life Insurance. He was a founding editor of the Actuarial Research Clearing House, a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity and the MIT Educational Council.

Karla and Russ lived in St. Paul MN, Greenwich CT, Haverford PA and Manchester VT. After retirement in 1996 they moved to HHI SC where he enjoyed playing golf and singing Bass in the Choral Society, Barbershop Harmony Society and choirs for Island Lutheran Church and later Christ Lutheran Church. He had perfect pitch. Russ was an active volunteer for all his churches, the United Way, Salvation Army and Volunteers in Medicine.  Russ judged Science Fairs and was a docent at Friends of Hildene in Manchester VT. Russ loved music, golf, playing piano, singing, fishing, and reading.  His secret to a happy life in his own words was “My Christian faith, having a close family, consideration for others, and fulfillment of my responsibilities”.

Russ was predeceased by his two younger brothers Bill and John Collins. He is survived by his wife of 64 years Karla, his children Russell (Susan Boggs), Richard (Kirsten), and Renate Williamson (Roger), and his grandchildren Megan Dora (Ray), Robyn Collins, Rusty Collins, Greg and Curtis Williamson, Mae, Ben and Anna Collins, and great granddaughter Thea Dora.

A special memorial service will be held at a later date when we can safely gather. In lieu of flowers a memorial contribution in Russell’s name may be made to CARE at care.org/budget or The Seabrook Foundation, 300 Woodhaven Drive, HHI SC 29928.