Robert Neal "Bob" Collins, 73, of Sayre, born during a blizzard in Elmira, NY, on March 8, 1943, during WWII, to the late Robert Devine and his exceptionally loving mother, Lucille (Pulaski) Collins. He came full circle on Tuesday, January 10, 2017 peacefully passing away during a blizzard at Robert Packer Hospital. Having been born during the WWII Era, Robert and his family at times struggled to have enough food for the table. He became very aware and conscious that he never wanted to be in that position again and didn't want to see others go hungry either. He made sure that he always had items on hand to give to those in need. Robert began his inquisitiveness when he was young, knowing the name of every fruit tree in the neighborhood and where he was allowed to pick. As a married man living in Sayre, his mother, looked forward to his visits to her home in Elmira. She would instruct her daughters, Maureen, and Donna, to run out and get all his favorite snacks, even though they had to travel from their homes a distance away. Because, he was the only son, sandwiched in between his sisters, they knew that it had to be "The Second Coming of Christ up Route 17" when Bobby was coming because heaven and earth had to be moved to prepare for his visit. Bob, after graduation from High School, knew that he wanted to pursue a higher education in teaching. He worked whatever it took to put himself through college, including mopping floors at the Arnot-Ogden Hospital. After obtaining his Master's Degree in Education, he became a Teacher for the Spencer-VanEtten Middle School for 30 years, retiring in 1988. Not just teaching Math and Science, but he was one who truly cared about inspiring his students to become educated and to become inquisitive about anything they were interested in. A man of knowledge on any subject, he developed ways of making his students and those around him become involved even if it wasn't a topic they enjoyed. He was creative in his teaching methods and did such things as having pickled pigs' feet for lunch after they had just dissected pigs. Life was serious, yes, but he wanted all to know that they were on an educational journey that should be fun as well. In his early years of teaching, he coached track and was the wrestling coach for many years. He was very proud of each student that he taught and felt fulfilled when watching his students succeed. During his last hospital stay, he came full circle again with one of them. One of his athletes from the early 1970's, was so overjoyed when he won his wrestling match that he jumped into Mr. C's arms. Forty-Seven years later, this student became Bob's last roommate at the hospital. Together, they shared many memories and laughs. The last several years, even with declining health, he was inspired by a quote from Mike Ditka, "You are never a loser until you quit trying!" He truly cherished the idea that one of his students eventually became one of his primary care givers. And even then, he never quit teaching. He took it upon himself, to assist his student nurses and aids with their studies. He shared this journey with his wife, Ellen, who together they had a rare marriage that today is difficult to find. Together, even when he would get her trapped in some tale that he told her and she fell for it, they had a motto together, "They never went to bed mad." A man filled with wisdom and one-liners, he was an inspiration not only to his students but to his wife and daughter, Shannon. Just listening to and watching her dad, it didn't take long for her to have the same passion for teaching and inspiring others, that he had. When the time came for a career choice, she followed in his path. Robert was a man who had an intensely deep faith and believed that he had been blessed many times with miracles in his own life. That faith showed in the way he treated people every day. Himself a survivor of male breast cancer, he encouraged all young women to make sure to take all precautions to ensure they protected themselves. An extraordinary man with a zest for living, he always found it important to appreciate all those around him, no matter their walk in life. He made many lifetime friends when he attended St. Casimir's School and Thomas Edison High School in Elmira. Blessed with the gift of gab and an insatious curiosity, he was a person who welcomed any and every opportunity to talk with people. No matter who he encountered along the way he could find a common topic to carry on a conversation with them. He had the ability to get people to believe any story he was telling just by the way he told it whether it was true or not. He loved to read, cook, study astronomy, his shortwave radio, watching a good football or baseball game, no matter who was playing, and was passionate studying about WWII. Perhaps, it had to do with his being born during that time. Robert was fanatic about all facets of the weather, watched Jeopardy every night and was determined to beat the contestants, and he always rooted for the underdog. Robert loved antique cars and driving. After retiring, that love for driving, he drove cars for Scoville-Meno. At one point, they did have to check on his whereabouts and come to find out, he had gone to the right city but in the wrong state. He spent many hours with his grandson, Max, his greatest joy, watching American Pickers and Pawn Stars, but they didn't just watch, he continued to teach as they enjoyed themselves, going over the history of every item they discussed. He was a man who enjoyed his music, and when cruising the coast or anywhere he traveled in his convertible that sported Spencer-VanEtten paw prints that were made especially for him, he would have his radio cranked to the max, listening to his 50's and 60's music. Then again, he could be heard listening to Ritchie Valens and then moving on to opera. He loved travelling in the Northeast and Canada, spending 14 years traveling to Maritimes and Prince Edward Island with his wife, Ellen. In all their travels, they had a deal that he would choose the music one way and she would do the same the other way though it didn't matter to him what he was listening to as he loved it all. A man who at times dealt with challenging health issues, his positive attitude and determination was an inspiration to those around him. He was a man who saw life as an opportunity of two choices, "You could either fall to the ground like an egg, or be the hard rubber ball that bounced back." He often joked and was proud that he had medical record numbers from Cleveland to Canada and Boston to Baltimore. During one of these hospital visits, being a man who could fit in anywhere, he encountered a woman at the Prince Edward Hospital and of course, began chatting. She looked at him and stated, "Isn't it wonderful that all the tourists have finally gone back to the States." She truly believed he was from Canada, and he allowed her to continue to believe it. In his travels, he made many lifelong friendships. On some occasions, of those he met, they then revisited in their local homes. Robert's friendships with Bob Nocchi and Rich Schmidt on many occasions turned into a challenge of one besting the other with their jokes and pranks. At one time the two Bob's heard of a train that had wrecked in the VanEtten area that was loaded with flour. They proceeded to salvage many, many bags of flour and sold it for 10 cents each. And him taking out Rich's mailbox became a good laugh at any given time. The problem was he did not only take out Rich's mailbox, he dinged his own brand new car one hour old. Together, the three provided each other with endless hours of laughter. When at home, Robert loved sitting on his front porch. Not one person went by that he didn't either wave to or converse with while enjoying his home and relaxing. His theory was that, "No one was a stranger." And if you met someone that had a challenging personality, he still took the high road and realized, "In every bowl of cherries, there is at least one pit." He will be remembered and missed by his friends and all those he met. He touched many lives and he was touched by them in return. He was predeceased by his loving sister, Maureen Palmer, and sisters-in-law, Anne Martin, Mary Mastrantuono, and Rita Nader. Robert is survived by his first wife of 51 years, Ellen Collins at home, daughter, Shannon Collins Pan of Sayre, PA, and his grandson, Max Pan, affectionately known to his grandfather as "Big Buddy", and his faithful grand dog companion Sammy. He is also survived by his sister Donna Sheehan of Elmira, NY, brothers-in-law and their wives, Paul and Christine Zoltowski of Spencer, NY, and John and Linda Zoltowski of WV, sister-in-law and her husband Monica and Paul Tracy of Waverly, NY, brothers-in-law, Michael Mastrantuono of So. Waverly, PA, and Jay Palmer of Elmira, NY, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Robert also leaves behind his two close lifelong friends, Bob Nocchi of So. Waverly, PA and Rich Schmidt of Sayre, PA, plus many others including students and those whose lives he impacted while on his journey here. Friends and Family may call on Friday, January 13, 2017 from 1pm-3pm at the Jay E. Lowery Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 225 South Main Street, Athens, PA. A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2017 at 9:30am at the Church of Epiphany, 304 So. Elmer Ave., Sayre, PA. Burial will be in St. James Cemetery at a future date. Memorial donations may be made in Robert's memory to: Inspire SVE Inc., P.O. Box 600, Spencer, NY 14883 to recognize and reward a student working toward achieving academic excellence at the middle school where he taught.