Robert “Bob” Collison

Robert G. "Bob" Collison, age 92, of Eden Prairie, formerly Richfield, passed away on May 10, 2018. Born September 16, 1925 in Hector, MN. Bob lived briefly in Minneapolis before moving to Fairmont where he lived until graduation from high school in 1943. He attended the University of Minnesota for his freshman year before enlisting in the Army Air Force, serving as a B-17 crew member during WWII. He received his undergraduate degree from Gustavus Adolphus College in 1949 and then began his teaching career in Osseo and Montevided. When Richfield High School opened in 1954, Bob was hired as a teacher and football, track and assistant basketball coach. He later served as athletic director and assistant principal before retiring in 1985. He was a dedicated teacher and coach and immensely enjoyed his students, players and fellow coaches. Bob was inducted into the MN Football Coaches Hall of Fame as well as the Athletic Halls of Fame at Fairmont, Richfield and Gustavus. In 1983, he received the Distinguished Service Award from the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Bob was preceded in death by parents, Charles and Mary Collison and brothers, Charles and Peter. He is survived by his wife, Sylvai; children, Kathleen (Lowell) Johnson, Jan (Dan) Black and Sue Schemm; grandchildren, Lisa (Michael) Braegelman, Justin Johnson, Alex and Jonathan Black; step-children, David (Gale) Swenson and Diane (Roger) Allmendinger; step-grandchildren, Christopher (Joan) Swenson, Eric (Michelle) Swenson, Clare (Brian) Elsen, James (Kristi) Swenson, Mark Swenson, Derek (Carolyn) Allmendinger and Andrew (Alanna) Allmendinger; 19 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson. Also, his special cousin Duane Buckholz and nieces, Cheryl Netka and Cheri Sandford.