Nathaniel Frank Collins Jr

Nathaniel Frank Collins Jr., known to everyone as Nat, passed away on March 30, 2026, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. He leaves behind a legacy of charisma, service, and a beautifully unconventional spirit. Born in Salzburg, Austria, to the late Barbara Betty (Newmeyer) Collins and Nathaniel Frank Collins Sr., Nat’s early years were shaped by the international life of a military family. He carried a deep pride in his family’s history of service, particularly the memory of his father’s sacrifice in Vietnam.

Before embarking on his life with his wife, Ingrid, Nat served with honor in the United States Marine Corps. He was a Marine through and through, carrying that sense of duty forever. In recent years, he revisited that bond through **Semper Fidelis**, a veterans organization where he embraced community service and the enduring fellowship of those who served.

A "fashion plate" in every sense, Nat developed a sharp eye for quality and tailored clothing while working at a fine men’s shop. He moved through the world with polished elegance, never compromising on quality. Yet, after moving to Florida in 1989, he fully embraced his "Beach Bum Nat" identity. He loved the laid-back lifestyle, making shorts and T-shirts his daily staples—though his closet still held the $300 shoes and cashmere blazers that mirrored his love for the finer things.

Nat was a "rebel at heart" who bypassed most traditions, with one magical exception: Christmas. He fully embraced the "childlike wonder" of the season’s music, decorations, and gifts. Professionally, Nat was a dedicated colleague at Cox Automotive, where he worked until his retirement in 2019.

Nat’s world changed when he met Ingrid; for him, it was love at first sight—a "lightning strike" that led to 41 years of marriage. Their daughter, Dorothy, was the lifeblood of their world. In his later years, Nat’s joy was centered on his grandsons, Jackson and Marshall, and his devoted "retirement dog," Sandy. A Chihuahua-poodle mix, Sandy was his constant protector, never leaving his bedside during his final days at home.

Nat was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his devoted wife, Ingrid; his daughter, Dorothy, and son-in-law, Ben Perry; his cherished grandsons, Jackson and Marshall Perry; and a large extended family of siblings. He will be deeply missed by his faithful companion, Sandy, and all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, if you’d like to honor him in some way, you might:

• Volunteer at a local veterans organization

• Donate to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network https://pancan.org

• Donate to your local animal shelter in memory of how much he loved dogs