Dr. Roger Collins

Roger T. Collins, M.D., age 80, of Duluth, died Wednesday, July 31, 2013 at his cottage at Buffalo Point, Manitoba, Canada. He was born April 23, 1933 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada to Frederick T. and Mary (Garbolinski) Collins. He graduated from Manitoba Medical College in Winnipeg in 1957, and went into General Practice in Roseau, Minn. from 1958-1966. He then served his residency at the Mayo Clinic in Therapeutic Radiology/Oncology until 1969, at which time he went into private practice at St. Mary's Hospital, being the first radiation oncologist at St. Mary's. In 1981 he started a new department with new technology at Miller Dwan Hospital, working with Dr. Roger Urias and Dr. David McNaney. He retired from Miller Dwan Hospital. Dr. Collins loved his radiation/oncology staff. They were dedicated, compassionate and devoted to their patients and to him. Dr. Collins was a member of: A.M.A., Minnesota State Medical Association, American College of Radiology, Minnesota State Radiological Society, Radiation Safety Committee- Miller-Dwan Medical Center from 1981-1989, St. Louis County Medical Society.

Dr. Collins' love was his family, life on Long Boat Key, FL. in the winter following his retirement, and walleye fishing and blueberry picking at his cottage.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Jason in 1997.

Dr. Collins is survived by his wife of 56 years, Florence; his daughter Carla Collins-Smith and her children Natalie and Hunter Smith of Naples, Fl.; his sons, Mark (Shelly) and their son Jason of Victoria, Minn., Michael and his daughter Michelle of Duluth, and John and his children Carly and Kayla of Wellsville, UT.; three great-grandchildren; his sister, Joanne McGillivary of Winnipeg, Canada, and her children.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00 noon on Saturday, August 10, 2013 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary. Entombment will be at Calvary Cemetery.

Memorials are preferred and may be directed to: Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary, 2801 E. 4th. St., Duluth, MN. 55812, or Miller-Dwan Foundation, 502 E. 2nd. St., Duluth, MN. 55802.

Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, Duluth, 727-3555