Collins served from November 1970 until he was killed in a plane crash on December 8, 1972, in Chicago, Illinois at age 47.

[1] After high school, Collins served with the Army engineers in the South Pacific during World War II.

Collins studied business law at Northwestern University before entering into politics.

From 1964 to 1970, Collins served as a member of the Chicago city council, becoming an alderman in the 24th ward to replace the murdered Benjamin F. Lewis.

Collins died on December 8, 1972, when United Airlines Flight 553 crashed on approach to Chicago Midway International Airport.