Kevin Arthur Collins

Kevin A. Collins, of Colorado Springs, died Oct. 27, 2024, the result of cancer complications. He was 74. Kevin was a decorated career US Air Force officer (1973- 2003), retiring as a Colonel. He and his twin, Dennis, were born in 1950 at the US Military Academy in West Point, NY, where their father, US Army Col. Arthur S. Collins, Jr., was a TAC officer, eventually retiring as a Lieutenant General.

Kevin graduated from the University of Puget Sound (WA) with a BA degree in history and as a distinguished graduate of AFROTC. He earned his MA degree in Public Administration and Management at Webster University (MO) and was in the Class of 1990 at the Air War College at Maxwell AFB in Alabama.

He met his soulmate, Barbara M. Warner, while they were attending the University of Puget Sound, and they were married in 1975. They raised two sons, K. Patrick Collins and Sean A. Collins. There are four grandchildren and an “adopted” son and daughter who were Netherlands exchange students.

During his distinguished Air Force career, his many US tours included Executive Officer for the Air Force Thunderbirds (1981-83), three tours at the Pentagon, and retiring in 2003 after serving as Vice Commander, USAF 10th Air Base at the USAF Academy in Colorado Springs.

Overseas tours of duty included Germany, the Republic of Korea and The Republic of the Philippines, the latter where he was the Vice Commander, 3rd Combat Support Group, Clark Air Base, and then was Base Closure Officer there after the 1991 Mt. Pinatubo volcanic eruption destroyed the air base.

His many military decorations included: Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal and more.

After retiring from the Air Force, Kevin and family settled in Colorado Springs, where he and Barbara sponsored many USAF Academy cadets (2000-2014). From 2003-2015, Kevin was the Deputy Executive Director and Director of Operations for The Classical Academy (TCA) charter school in Colorado Springs. He also served TCA as Interim President, as Project Manager during TCA’s renovation and expansion, and later, as a member of TCA’s school board.

During his 24 years in Colorado Springs, Kevin was a member of New Life Church, USAFA Chapel and Church for All Nations. His many church activities included being a section leader at New Life, a lector at USAFA Chapel and a couples Bible study teacher and facilitator.

Kevin is survived by Barbara W. Collins-wife/soulmate; K. Patrick Collins-son; Sean and Jodie Collins-son; four grandchildren: McKenna J. Collins, Aislinn F. Collins, Connor M. Collins, Caden A. Collins; Dennis and Julie Collins-twin brother; Maureen and Steve Saunders-sister; and by his mother, Naomi C. Collins. He also is survived by Marcel and Martine Polderman-“adopted” son, and Annelies and John vanderVoort-“adopted” daughter. Marcel and Annelies were Netherlands exchange students who have become “family.”

Services are planned in Colorado Springs. 

As an option, in lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting donations to The Classical Academy (TCA) charter school, 975 Stout Rd., Colorado Springs. Contact: Lindy Keffer, tcatitans.org. Link on the website.