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Linda
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Date Posted: 10:22:45 11/08/06 Wed
IT'S A MATTER OF LIFE...
Wife, film industry were his loves
Collins worked with big stars but treasured his 57-year love story
By GERRY HOSTETLER
If you hung around the Square in Charlotte or a block north at Walgreens in the 1940s, you likely noticed this teenager. He was one of the earliest to sport the double side-welted, pistol-pocketed, pegged and draped "zoot" pants worn by the boys your mama warned you about.
Robert Keith "Bob" Collins, 77, who worked in the movie industry for 25 years, died Sept. 26 of a heart attack. He was a Central High School graduate called "Boo-Coo."
Bob was not, however, one of the boys who earned mothers' suspicions. He just wore the pants. He was on his own at a very young age and was too busy earning his way to get into much trouble.
Bob met Betty Jo (B.J.) one Friday night in 1948 at the old Armory Auditorium (where Park Center now stands). They fell in love to the music of Paul Williams and the Hucklebucks.
"He had no job when we got married," said B.J., his bride of 57 years. "He had 28 jobs that first year, but love sustained us all through our lives." The couple had sons Bobby, Darrell and Kenny, all of whom became firefighters.
Devoted to each other
"They were a sweet couple who were devoted to each other," said longtime friend Peggy Lyles. "I remember when they brought the children to church. Those boys were snazzy in their sport coats, ties and white shoes."Bob and B.J. were indeed devoted to each other. "We had a beautiful love story," B.J. said. "He wrote love letters all the time; I even found them in drawers. He wrote one just last week. I told him, `You've still got that magic touch.' "
Bob started in the movie industry as a driver, became transportation captain and later a Southern dialogue coach. When "Days of Thunder" with Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman and Robert Duvall was shooting, Bob and B.J. were lodged in the Marriott hotel penthouse in Daytona, Fla. He also was in the film as a race car driver.
Mill house to penthouse
"We lived an exciting life," his wife said. "He was a little boy from Charlotte who went from mill house to penthouse."
B.J. said Bob worked with Oprah Winfrey, Danny Glover, Whoopi Goldberg and Steven Spielberg in "The Color Purple." He also worked with Whoopi in two other movies.
When Dustin Hoffman was filming "Billy Bathgate," he and Bob became big off-camera pool-shooting buddies. "Bob beat Dustin," B.J. said.
Bob also aided Jessica Lang in Nebraska when she appeared in a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie. He worked with Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly in "Talladega Nights," and his latest project was "Asylum."
Movie-making was a big part of Bob's life, but that shared the spotlight with his church, Northside Baptist. He was a charter member, served in many church offices and was a member of Barry Shearer Sunday school class.
"I looked at him as a role model," said granddaughter Jessica Collins. "He was definitely my hero; he touched so many lives."
He most especially touched B.J.'s life with notes like this:
"For all the years you have been my bride, raising a family and building a life, we've worked together side by side. You have blessed me by being my wife. There are many things I sometimes forget to say, but your faith, courage and wisdom keeps me. Loving you always, Bob."
"I will miss him with all my heart for as long as I live," she said.
It's a Matter
of Life... Gerry
Hostetler
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