Bruce M. Collins, intellectual, humanitarian

Bruce M. Collins of Lewes passed away at St. Barnabas Hospital, Livingston, N.J., Sunday, May 8, 2016, after a short illness.

Mr. Collins was born Jan. 28, 1936, in Hackensack, N.J. He graduated with honors from Williams College in 1957 and received a master's of science in organic chemistry from Cornell University in 1959. While working as a chemist, Mr. Collins pursued his J.D. from New York University and was admitted to the bar in 1965.

Mr. Collins practiced as a patent attorney for over 30 years, primarily with the law firm Matthews, Woodbridge and Collins of Morristown and Princeton, N.J. During his tenure Mr. Collins wrote patents for Princeton University, Eli Lilly and Celgene. In 1987, Prentice Hall published his widely regarded text, “Current Patent Interference Practice.”

Mr. Collins resided in Montville and Princeton before retiring to Lewes in 2005. He was an active and valuable member of the 121-year-old Hawthorne Park Club of New Jersey where he was bestowed honorary membership. Throughout his life, Mr. Collins remained involved with alumni groups for both Williams College and Rutherford High School. In Lewes, Mr. Collins served on the board of several organizations, including Coastal Concerts, and taught continuing education classes in art and chemistry. A devoted and lifelong pet owner, he helped lead efforts to establish Lewes’ new dog park.

A widower, Mr. Collins was married to Susan E. Collins for 51 years. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Ross and Paige Collins, and two grandsons, Camas and Silas Collins, all of Seattle, Wash.; his daughter and son-in-law, Haley and Stephen Garcia, and two grandchildren, Bennett and Sophie Garcia, all of Millburn, N.J.; and his brother and sister-in-law, John and Janet Collins of Coverdale, Calif.

Donations in Mr. Collins’ memory can be sent to Coastal Concerts at PO Box 685, Lewes, DE 19958.