Oliver Dale Collins III

SAN DIEGO — Oliver Dale Collins III passed away peacefully on February 21, 2021 in Portland, Oregon.

Dale was born in Wilmington, Delaware to Margaret Pechin and Oliver Dale Collins, Jr. He started his education at Tower Hill School in Wilmington, went on to Colgate University, New York, and earned an MA and PH.D. in organic chemistry at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. In graduate school, Dale met the love of his life, Janice, on a blind date at Johns Hopkins University. They married in 1955 and raised three children.

After two years as an industrial research chemist for Dupont Company, Dale decided to pursue his true passion in medicine. He earned his MD in 1964 from the University of Virginia while also a postdoctoral fellow in the departments of chemistry and biochemistry. Dale completed his internship at the University of Kentucky Medical Center, then served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, finishing his pediatrics residency at

October 15, 1931 - February 21, 2021

Brooke Army Hospital at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

In 1969, Dale moved his family to San Diego and joined Kaiser Southern California Permanente Medical Group as a pediatrician. Throughout his career he received testimonials from patients and their parents, praising his concern, compassion and kindness. During his twenty seven years of service he also served as Chief of Pediatrics and Assistant Medical Director for the medical group. After delivering exemplary medical care to patients and being a role model for physician leadership, he retired in 1996.

In retirement Dale co-founded the Kaiser Retired Association of Physicians (KRAP) Hiking

Group, thus maintaining his cherished relationships with his colleagues. He and his friends were a regular presence on San Diego county trails, and their adventures were a weekly highlight for Dale.

Dale pursued hobbies his entire life with passion and vigor, nurturing a variety of interests such as amateur radio operation, exotic fruit cultivation, making wine, piloting gliders, pistol shooting, beekeeping, sailing, and geology. He kept a summer cottage on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula where he pursued his love of fishing and hiking. He travelled extensively with his wife and family to various destinations including China, Russia, Mexico, Turkey, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Ireland and Peru. He was an avid fisherman who travelled with friends from Alaska to California to the Sea of Cortez to cast a line and create memories with his companions.

His generosity included service on the board of directors for San Diego Gilbert and Sullivan Company and San Diego Comic Opera. He was an avid volunteer as a gleaner for the San Diego Food Bank, and facilitated a van donation to the charity purchased by his medical group. Throughout his distinguished medical career he provided charitable care to residents in the countries of St. Lucia, Guyana, and Honduras.

In 2010, Dale and Janice moved to Portland, Oregon. Dale was a devoted husband through 63 years of marriage until Janice’s passing in 2018. Dale had a great love of learning throughout his life, which he passed on to his children and shared with his friends. His sense of humor and cheerful tunes brightened our lives. He is survived by his son, Dale Collins and wife, of San Diego; two daughters, Carey Collins and Valerie Collins and their husbands, of Portland; and five grandchildren.

Dale’s family has respected his wish to not hold a memorial service. Tribute donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

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