Richard John "Dick" Collins, 88, of Stowe died Nov. 8, 2019, with his wife Nancy by his side and surrounded by the love of his family. He was born in St. Johnsbury Dec. 2, 1930, son of Roy and Frances (Cassidy) Collins, and graduated from St. Johnsbury Academy and Lyndon State College. After serving in the Army during the Korean War, he started his teaching career as a math, science and industrial arts instructor in Springfield, Vt., and later was director of North Country Vocational Center in Newport. Dick served on the National Association of State Councils of Vocational Education. He was president of the Vermont Society of Executives. He was appointed to the Vermont Higher Education Planning Commission in 1974 and served under four governors until his retirement in 1994. Dick loved to fish, roller blade and snowboard (taking his last run at age 86). He was a talented craftsman, restoring antique furniture and building homes and new furniture. Dicks greatest passion was engaging and teaching children and young adults. Survivors include his wife, Nancy Collins of Stowe; grandson Joshua Belongie and his spouse Heather Belongie of Essex; great-grandson Owen Belongie of Essex; brother Gerald Collins and wife Diane of Elmira, N.Y.; and several nieces and nephews. His daughter, Kimberly Belongie, died earlier, as did his sister Patricia Douglas. The family thanks the staff at Maple Ridge Memory Care for their loving and compassionate care for Dick and his family. Donations in Dick's memory may be made to the Manor Vail Society, Northern Vermont University-Lyndon, P.O. Box 919, Lyndonville, VT 05851. A remembrance gathering will be held at the Moore Room on the Northern Vermont University-Lyndon campus on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 11 a.m.. All are invited to share memories.