Gregory Todd Collins, 39

Gregg Todd Collins died Sept. 7, 2003, shortly after finishing a 20-mile run in Seattle. He was 39 years old.

Mr. Collins was born Nov. 13, 1963, in Seattle, and raised in Monroe, Bellevue, and Oak Harbor. He graduated from Bellevue Christian High School in 1982, served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1982-1987, attended the University of Cologne in Germany in 1989, and graduated from American University in Washington D.C. in 1992. 

Until recently he was the West Coast Director of Vignette Professional Services, a software consulting company based in Austin, Texas.

He had been training for the Chicago marathon.

Mr. Collins was an avid sailor, basketball player, gourmet cook, cyclist, world traveler, skilled handyman, computer technician, telemark skier, runner, and general lover of the outdoors. 

His passion for adventure led him abroad many times, including to Europe, Asia, the South Pacific, Central America, and the North Pole.

An avid outdoorsman, he was happiest at the helm of his boat, Osprey, or taking to the open road in his camper van with his wife, baby daughter, and pet Siberian Husky Tenakee.

Additional hobbies included boat building, home remodeling and investing, cooking, and attending off-beat cultural events. Most of all, he loved spending time with family and numerous close friends.

Friends and family say they will remember him as a father, husband, brother, son, and loyal friend.

Survivors include his wife Allison Ellis and his baby daughter Elizabeth (Liza) Collins, who was born last October. His sister Christi Collins, of Los Angeles, Calif., father Todd Collins, of West Seattle, mother Judy Henkens, of Silverdale, Wash., stepmother Katie Pratt of West Seattle, and grandmother Betty Collins of Bellevue also survive him.

A memorial service was last Sunday at Daybreak Cultural Center, Discovery Park, Seattle.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the NextGen College Investing Plan FBO Elizabeth Ellis Collins, P.O. Box 96063 Bellevue, Wash. 98009-9663.