Walter Craig Collins

OBITUARY

It is with profound sadness that we share the peaceful passing of Walter Collins of Fort Lauderdale, FL and Highlands, NC surrounded by the love of his family following a brief courageous battle with cancer. The devoted son of Virginia Craig and George Revere Collins of New York, a decedent of Paul Revere. He graduated from Trinity-Pawling Prep School in New York and was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Yale University and a Master of Science in Urban Planning from Columbia University.

 

Walter’s legacy is one of service, leadership and impact, leaving an indelible mark on his industry and community. He devoted his time to many civic pursuits including a Registered Professional Engineer, Former Director of the Economic Development Council of Broward County, Former Chairman of the Broward Legislative Committee, the Port Everglades Association, the Builders Association of Broward County, the Davie Economic and Industrial Development, Board of Director of the Boys Club of Broward County and the Riverwalk Board.

 

Walter had a hand in many of the new directions in the development of Broward County over the past 50 years. Originally coming to Florida to oversee a 100,000-acre proposed project in Central Florida which included a new state capitol, a Super Sonic Airport and other concepts well ahead of their time. He planned, engineered, constructed and marketed housing developments in the new community of Weston in Broward County bringing Weston, Forest Ridge and other midsized communities to life. He began an opposite trend of bringing residents back downtown with the opening of Las Olas Grand, a 38-story condominium in the heart of Ft. Lauderdale. He was a partner in the development of Beach Place.

 

Walter was a long time member of the Lauderdale Yacht Club, Fort Lauderdale Country Club and Mountain Laurel Tennis Club in Highlands, NC. He often played 18 holes of golf at FLCC, then rushing over to LYC to play 2 hours of tennis. He loved to troll in his boat on his way to play tennis at the yacht club where he was a club champion across three different decades. He married the love of his life Cheryl Collins, on the shores of Geneva Lake, Wisconsin and recently celebrated 30 wonderful years of marriage. He is survived by his wife Cheryl and his loving children, Julie (Javier) Arencibia, Peter Collins, Carrie Cooper, Abbie (Victor) Zulim and Fredric Cray Buresh and his adoring grandchildren Patrick, Charles, Cailyn, Caycee, Joey, Connor and his loyal companion Tux. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister, Virginia Dalton and his first wife, Melida Collins, mother of Julie and Peter.

 

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Walter’s name to Safety Village of Hinsdale, IL in memory of his beloved niece, Katie Satkamp or the charity of your choice.