Charles “Chuck” Lamont Collins was born in Cleveland, Ohio January 26, 1953 to Mary Polk Collins and Elmer “Al” Clarence Collins. Chuck is survived by his wife, Monika Kavay Collins; sister, Barbara Binder; nieces Vykki Binder and Poppy Coleman for whom he was like a father, and preceded by his parents and brother, Al Collins. His family and the many, many connections he made throughout his personal and professional life will miss him dearly. His eagerness to engage sincerely with anyone he met, his love of a good story, and his warm laugh made him an unmatched friend, colleague, and acquaintance.
He graduated from Warrensville Heights High School in 1971 and after travelling in the US and Europe, began his career in radio in 1974. He learned the trade and contributed his talents to radio stations in Cleveland and Akron in copywriting and production, then served as Program Director for WKDD until 2001. Chuck took a hiatus from radio in 2001 and pursued his passion for creative writing. He wrote a series of mystery novels titled “The Radio Murders” and published two books: The Collectors and Is the Caller There?
Chuck returned to radio in 2007 serving a MacGyver-like role at Rubber City Radio Group, supporting many functions from web maintenance to technical operations to management to performing on-air. Chuck was a friend of Bill for 28 years and served on the board of IBH Addiction Recovery Center and the Akron Symphony Orchestra. In July 2013, he was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme, an aggressive form of brain cancer. Chuck wrote Robbing Mind, a memoir of his experience undergoing two brain surgeries that year. After several surgeries and treatments over 22 months, he succumbed to the disease May 21, 2015.
A memorial service will be held in his honor on Thursday, May 28, 2015 at 7 p.m. at the Eckard Baldwin Funeral Home & Chapel, 760 E. Market St., Akron, OH 44305. Calling hours will be at the funeral home on Thursday prior to the service from 4 – 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to IBH Addiction Recovery Center. Although Chuck Collins has signed off, his signal will continue to transmit.
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He graduated from Warrensville Heights High School in 1971 and after travelling in the US and Europe, began his career in radio in 1974. He learned the trade and contributed his talents to radio stations in Cleveland and Akron in copywriting and production, then served as Program Director for WKDD until 2001. Chuck took a hiatus from radio in 2001 and pursued his passion for creative writing. He wrote a series of mystery novels titled “The Radio Murders” and published two books: The Collectors and Is the Caller There?
Chuck returned to radio in 2007 serving a MacGyver-like role at Rubber City Radio Group, supporting many functions from web maintenance to technical operations to management to performing on-air. Chuck was a friend of Bill for 28 years and served on the board of IBH Addiction Recovery Center and the Akron Symphony Orchestra. In July 2013, he was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme, an aggressive form of brain cancer. Chuck wrote Robbing Mind, a memoir of his experience undergoing two brain surgeries that year. After several surgeries and treatments over 22 months, he succumbed to the disease May 21, 2015.
A memorial service will be held in his honor on Thursday, May 28, 2015 at 7 p.m. at the Eckard Baldwin Funeral Home & Chapel, 760 E. Market St., Akron, OH 44305. Calling hours will be at the funeral home on Thursday prior to the service from 4 – 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to IBH Addiction Recovery Center. Although Chuck Collins has signed off, his signal will continue to transmit.
