Patricia Ann (Riehl) Collins

Published 3:41 pm Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Patricia Ann (Riehl) Collins

April 13, 1935 – November 8, 2024

Pat grew up in Coalinga, CA, a small agricultural town west of Fresno. Her parents, Gladys and J. Oscar Riehl were teachers and musicians. Pat began playing instruments at age 8, becoming very accomplished in playing both oboe and clarinet. During high school, in addition to her musical interests, she worked at the city library, supporting her love of reading (which she later passed down to her children). Pat was talented enough playing the oboe to win a full music scholarship to the University of Oregon. She met Dana H. Collins during her freshman year, and while he studied at Oregon State University, she completed her Bachelor’s Degree in music in three years, so she could graduate with him in June of 1956. They married one week later.

Pat and Dana moved to Medford, from Salem in 1960 and lived there for the rest of their 68-year marriage. Pat was a Girl Scout Leader for many years, was active in the Medford Branch of the American Association of University Women, serving as President, and was the first female commodore of the Rogue Yacht Club. In retirement, she volunteered at Rogue Regional Medical Center.

Pat continued with her musical activities throughout her life. She was a founding member of the Rogue Valley Symphony, playing first chair oboe. She also played clarinet in the Ashland City Band and the Rogue Valley Symphonic Band. She taught after-school private oboe, clarinet, and saxophone lessons, with her husband and kids saying “Plug your ears! Two oboes playing at the same time sound like bagpipes!”

Once her children were in school, Pat worked as a substitute teacher to fund to their college accounts. Her sub assignments were not always in music and she found teaching foreign languages, science, and woodshop to be particularly “interesting”!

Pat and Dana loved sailing and shared their enthusiasm with their three children. She was a master organizer, packing the gear for three sailboats and five people each weekend, for transport to Howard Prairie Reservoir, where sailboat racing was a central family activity. She also partnered with her husband managing their small sailboat and marine hardware business.

Pat is survived by her children Elaine Wilson (David), Marilyn Collins, Dana O. Collins (Mary) and her grandchildren Kaitlin Kallweit (Mark) and Emily Collins.

Her family will gather to share memories at a later date. They request that memorial donations be made to organizations Pat felt were important: Planned Parenthood and the Alzheimer’s Association.