Robert Collins.Robert “Red” Collins was born March 27, 1940, in Riverside, California, and he passed away July 1, 2016, at Long Beach Memorial Hospital. Robert was known by most QHGS members as “Red.” He graduated from Phineas Banning High School in Wilmington, California, in 1958, then spent 4 years in the U. S. Air Force. Red married in 1973 and was widowed in 2004. He raised a son Kenneth and daughter Catherine..After working as a longshoreman for 43 years, he retired and spent his days teaching woodcarving. He was one of the founding fathers of the California Carvers Guild and was on its board of directors for many years. He did demonstrations at the Los Angles and Orange County Fairs each year for more than 25 years. He was also involved with helping boy scouts earn their merit badge in woodcarving.  With his long white beard, “Red” played the role of Santa every Christmas season. He joined Questing Heirs in 2006 and enjoyed the meetings; but most of all he enjoyed the people and attended our annual QHGS pot luck luncheon as “Santa” every year, as well he played Santa at office parties, a local reastaurant, on a Dec. cruise,  and many family Xmas' .
 He fell in love wih Connie in 2005, taught her to carve and was her estort to many carving shows. Her daughters welcomed him into their family, and over the years he earned their love and respect. Many of the grandchildren thought of him as Grampa, a role he filled very well. 
 The friends Red made over the years remained his friends for a lifetime. He was a very caring, generous, loving man who will be missed by everyone who crossed his  path.