I'm not one to share personal feelings much and when sad ... I'd rather be by myself. But my step dad passed yesterday and felt I should share a few thoughts with you guys.
Born, Richard A. Collins Aug 9, 1930 in Chico Ca. - Passed away May 12, 2006 in Hilo, Hawaii.
Riley grew up during the great depression and shared stories of the era regularly. He was fat as youngster and was teased about alot. Raised in a farming and ag area he knew the farm boy life style well, milked cows ... When he reached his teens his chubbyness gave way to muscle as he worked on a farm & a bakery and later dug ditches for Calif water co. Needless to say he wasnt teased anymore and if he was, the teaser would usually walk home with his front teeth in his hand.
He never finished high school but got into hotrods and custom cars and eventually opened his own auto body shop, originally in Chico then Santa Cruz Ca. and it still bares his name 30 years after he sold it. He won many custom car shows with both his own cars and those he built for others, even the Oakland national in around 1959. He was friends with D. Bertelucci of Sacramento Hot Rod fame and George Barris of LA and Vegas hot rod scene.
Riley was my step dad and married mom when I was about 1 1/2 years old. He was kind but firm, I got my share of spankings... but he was also very sincere and fair. He raised and treated me as his own. Never showed favortism, when his own children got a new bike or toy, I would get the same.
In my teen years we moved to Hawaii and we built several cars together and I will treasure those moments often.
He was kinda rough around the edges and didnt mince words you either liked him or you didnt. But many who were offended by him at first, later came to be his best friends. He was very active in our local congregation and volunteer projects and raised me to do the same. He wasnt the emotional type to say he loved me but I know he did.
Good bye Dad, I'll miss you alot. - Kent
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Born, Richard A. Collins Aug 9, 1930 in Chico Ca. - Passed away May 12, 2006 in Hilo, Hawaii.
Riley grew up during the great depression and shared stories of the era regularly. He was fat as youngster and was teased about alot. Raised in a farming and ag area he knew the farm boy life style well, milked cows ... When he reached his teens his chubbyness gave way to muscle as he worked on a farm & a bakery and later dug ditches for Calif water co. Needless to say he wasnt teased anymore and if he was, the teaser would usually walk home with his front teeth in his hand.
He never finished high school but got into hotrods and custom cars and eventually opened his own auto body shop, originally in Chico then Santa Cruz Ca. and it still bares his name 30 years after he sold it. He won many custom car shows with both his own cars and those he built for others, even the Oakland national in around 1959. He was friends with D. Bertelucci of Sacramento Hot Rod fame and George Barris of LA and Vegas hot rod scene.
Riley was my step dad and married mom when I was about 1 1/2 years old. He was kind but firm, I got my share of spankings... but he was also very sincere and fair. He raised and treated me as his own. Never showed favortism, when his own children got a new bike or toy, I would get the same.
In my teen years we moved to Hawaii and we built several cars together and I will treasure those moments often.
He was kinda rough around the edges and didnt mince words you either liked him or you didnt. But many who were offended by him at first, later came to be his best friends. He was very active in our local congregation and volunteer projects and raised me to do the same. He wasnt the emotional type to say he loved me but I know he did.
Good bye Dad, I'll miss you alot. - Kent
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Reason for Edit: None given...|1147534072 -->
