Joe Collins

This week has been difficult.   Not because classes have started but because the herpetological community lost one of its greatest and most influential contributors, Mr. Joe Collins, this past weekend.  This is truly sad news and he will be missed tremendously by so many.  I am just so glad that many of my students were able to meet this herp legend over the last few years and I am proud to have known him.  I have pasted the CNAH announcement below, as well as a picture from the KC Star article about his life.

IN MEMORIAM: JOSEPH THOMAS COLLINS (1939 - 2012)

Thursday 19 January 2012: Lawrence, Kansas - CNAH NEWS RELEASE The Center for North American Herpetology Lawrence, Kansas http://www.cnah.org

19 January 2012

It is with very heavy hearts that we report the passing of The Center for North American Herpetology Co-founder and Director Joseph T. Collins.  Joe Collins suffered a massive coronary attack and died on 14 January 2012 in Florida.  He and his wife Suzanne were on their annual herpetofaunal expedition to the Florida panhandle and St. George Island.  Joe was 72 years old.

Like so many of us, Joe turned a childhood passion into a lifelong career.  His accomplishments are too vast for this brief note, and his influence on the lives of past, present, and future herpetologists is immeasurable.  His comical subject lines for many of the daily CNAH notes announcements are a testament to Joe's quick-witted sense of humor.  They will certainly be missed.

Plans for a memorial service have not yet been made.  Details will be released in future announcements as they are received.  To say that Joe will be sorely missed is an understatement.  CNAH, The Kansas Herpetological Society, and the herpetological community in general have lost a great scientist, a bold leader, and a true friend.  Rest in Peace Joe.

The Board of Directors of The Center for North American Herpetology would like to extend its deepest sympathies to Joe's loving wife Suzanne and to all of Joe's family and friends.