Don Desmond Collins, 92

"Dr. Don" Collins, Ph.D., a popular professor at MSU Bozeman, passed away peacefully on May 4, 2026, at age 92. He taught in the Biology (Ecology) Department for over 36 years, retiring in 1998 as a Professor Emeritus of Biology, Ph.D. (Genetics). He lived most of his life in the home he built close to Story Park; then, for several months, at Galatin County Nursing Home, in the care of their extraordinary staff, with his lovely wife Donna at his side.

Don was born in 1934, youngest of three children of Arthur E. and Lois Collins. He attended elementary school in Cardwell, and graduated high school in Whitehall. In 1951 his prized accomplishment was escaping the herding and milking of cantankerous bovines at home, in the company of his buddy Roger Stover, and a dubious character mentor, ol' Merritt Davison, from up the North Boulder. In 1954, Don joined the U.S. Army at Fort Lewis, then deployed to Yokohama and Inchon, Korea. Despite lifelong injuries from an IED explosion, he said: "Serving my country was a proud decision I held for the rest of my life."

Don worked long and hard to make sure the next generation could be educated to help agriculture. He wanted botanists and ecologists to conduct advanced research to help guide growth and prosperity in Montana and to support Rocky Mountain recreation, such as hiking, fishing, hunting, and skiing!

Don Collins rapidly became a prominent professor of Botany, Ecology, and Genetics in Montana's unique ecosystems. His teaching philosophy was to create a hands-on learning opportunity by combining academic Botany together with practical and progressive Land Management. He knew students learned best from an interesting curriculum, so he incorporated field-based research into his coursework. Each class became his own personal knowledge-based presentation, seasoned with a little humor! By now he had become known as "Dr. Don," whose "Man in the Environment" course became an intriguing, standing-room-only Botany course at MSU, where students repeatedly honored him by voting him with Distinguished Teaching Awards.

Don conducted a study of Agropyron species with Jürgen Schaefer, a notable cytogeneticist (it is thought their work paralleled that of the prominent researcher Helen Cameron). Jack Rumley, Plant Taxonomy teacher and Curator, utilized Don's contributions of grass (wheat) specimens in an outstanding collection of plant specimens at the MSU Herbarium. MSU President Johnstone gave Dr. Don great encouragement for his research in this area, exposing him to successful ecosystem ecologists like George Van Dyne, which in turn secured funding for his many projects.

Don's humor was his own version of the world, but he was serious about education. To this day, people talk about attending some of his "standing room only" classes, taking them into the realities of the ever-changing environment. His coursework came from his devotion to the fitting use, respectful occupation, and protection of nature's gifts! As described by his granddaughter Averie, ...it's not so much their words that strike me, but rather the excitement that beams from their faces when they recall how much they enjoyed his classes! Grampa will forever live in this community!

Don Collins hunted big game for many years, and worked as a guide with friends in the Big Belt Mountains out of Townsend. Don worked out daily to stay in shape (and to keep up with his wife and country dancing partner).

Don is survived by his wife, Donna (and family); Don's son Dennis (Jeanine) Collins, their daughter Stephanie (Brian) Wegner, and Don's great-grandson Wesley Robert Wegner. He is also survived by son Shane (Lisa) Collins and their children, Averie Collins and Grant (Haley) Collins, and by families: Patsy (Norman) Jensen, Michelle (Norm) Tebay, and Tim (Andrea) Mulligan.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur E. and Lois Irvine Collins; brother, Arthur A. (June) Collins; and sister, Pat (Howard) Mulligan.

Memorial Services and Military honors were held in Bozeman on June 6, 2026, with Norman Tebay officiating. Memorials requested to be sent to American Legion Post 87 in Manhattan, or the Bozeman Senior Center.