In Memory
Richard B. Collins Jr.
April 28, 1947 ~ April 20, 2026 (age 78)
Richard “Dickie” B. Collins Jr., 78, passed away on April 20, 2026. Dick was born on April 28, 1947, in South Bend, to the late Richard B. and Alice (Pernazza) Collins. He was a lifelong area resident.
Dick is survived by his cousins, Diane (Nick) Kovac, Sandra (Dale) Freels, Richard Pernazza, Maria (Steve) McElmeel (Jack and Patrick), Matt (Trisha) Kovac (Desmond, Oliver and Felix), Sara Freels and Andrew Freels.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, John & Augusta Collins; maternal grandparents, Alfredo & Eleanor Pernazza; aunts and uncles, Della & Richard Pernazza; Dolores & Olindo Costa; Ruth & Paul Gephardt, Russell Collins and Bernadette Collins; and cousins, Ruth Carol Gephardt and Robert Gephardt.
Dick was a retired teacher and coach at Marshall Elementary School in South Bend. He coached both boys and girls basketball, track and cross-country teams for many years at Marshall. He also coached successful baseball teams at Holy Cross School and at LaSalle High School.
Dick graduated from South Bend Central High School where he lettered in both baseball and tennis. He graduated from Ball State University where he pitched for the baseball team. He received his M.S. ED degree from IUSB. Prior to teaching he was a member of the Local #292 Ironworkers.
He was a long-time member of the South Bend Rugby Football Club, and he also played and coached slow pitch softball in South Bend, Muncie, and Richmond. Dick also enjoyed playing golf, Sprint car racing, and flat track motorcycle racing
Dick proudly served in the Navy, doing tours in Vietnam aboard the destroyers USS Turner Joy and USS Floyd B Parks.
As Dick planned, there will be no visitation or services held at this time. A burial will be held in Highland Cemetery at a later date. Hahn Funeral Home has been entrusted with the final arrangements and extends their deepest sympathies to Dick’s family.
If you would like to make a donation in memory of Dick, you may do so to the Humane Society of St. Joseph County, or any other charity of your choice.
To leave an online condolence or to share a memory, please visit www.hahnfuneralhomes.com
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Richard B. Collins Jr., please visit our floral store.
Services
Burial
Highland Cemetery (South Bend, Indiana)
South Bend, Indiana
Donations
Humane Society of St. Joseph County
2506 Grape Rd, Mishawaka IN 46545
Tel: 1-574-255-4726
Web: https://humanesocietystjc.org/
Added 04/24/2026 1151 GMS
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