This month I’d like to honor a friend, a founding member of Harley’s Hope, and a very sweet soul, Robert Collins. Bob, who was born and raised in Dolgellau, North Wales, was a man of many talents and great intellect, working in the early days of computer aided design and becoming known world-wide for creating the Collins algorithm. After retiring, Bob lent his talents to KCME-FM, designing their website and other graphics. That is where I met Bob when I was employed as the station’s Development Director. Bob was one of those rare people who never had a harsh word for anyone, except maybe when he and I would argue over who had better tea – the Irish or the Welsh!

Sadly, Bob passed away in June after struggling with failing health for many years. His longtime companion, HHF founding board member and friend, Jeanna Wearing, shared news of his passing from the effects of a major stroke. As we remembered Bob, Jeanna reminded me of the kitten he adopted through Dream Power Animal Rescue many years ago when I was the Director. She was a small black and white kitty Bob named Moggie. Jeanna shared that the word “moggie” is a British term meaning stray or alley cat. Bob grew to love that little cat, but, sadly, had to rehome her as his health continued to fail and she became a trip hazard. Before that happened, Bob crafted a poem about their relationship, assuming to know what his cat thought of him. Cat people can definitely relate!

From Moggie’s Perspective

He’s so slow, it’s not funny,
And I’ll bet even money,
He can’t even climb up a tree.
And I’ve read it in blogs-
He even likes dogs;
Now how dumb can a poor human be?
I’ll be glad when he sees,
When you press all the keys,
A computer can do so much more;
I try to assist, but he’ll always insist
On erasing where I’ve gone before.
A page full of a’s
Sets his temper ablaze,
Even though it’s a beautiful sight.
And I never can figure,
When I make a font bigger,
Why he can’t see that I’m always right.
He’s as thick as a plank, an irascible crank,
And other things too bad to mention.
They ought to do studies on why we are buddies-
For it simply defies comprehension!

Jeanna, along with Bob’s son, Stephen, will take his ashes back to Wales at a later date. Bob instructed them to spread his ashes by the Mawddach River, where he fished as a boy. Often what he caught was all his family had to eat during the war. Bob witnessed the worst of humanity during World War II, but he didn’t let that change who he was — a true gentleman. 

To honor her longtime love, Jeanna will be making a memorial donation to HHF and helping us decide how best to use it to memorialize Bob. Rest in peace, my friend — gorffwys mewn heddwch.