RICHARD COLLIS Obituary

COLLIS, Richard M. "Dick". Richard Collis passes on his Melrose spirit.

Known as "Dick," died unexpectedly on Wednesday, March 30, 2022 at Courtyard Care in Medford. He was 86. He was born in Somerville, MA on September 16, 1935 to Samuel & Elizabeth Collis.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Janet M. Collis; and daughter Danette Bialas and her husband Mark; grandson David R. Crespo; granddaughter Melissa Crespo Blevens and her son and (their great-grandson), Dane Blevens; loving sisters, Nancy Collis Rice and Elizabeth Collis Garniss.
Over the years the family participated, and supported each other, in an exciting array of sports: baseball, basketball, track, horseback riding, mountain bike riding and marathon running, including the famous Boston Race.
Dick kept a close eye on Boston Sports. He had a special passion for and was always prepared to lend his support whenever it was needed within the Melrose High School Athletic Program. He was known as your "go to guy" for any question about all things Melrose, the city he loved. Knowing the amazing sports record Melrose High had established over many years, he wanted that to be honored and to become a recognized distinction of the school's already excellent history. He was one of the original five founders of the Melrose High School Hall of Fame, 28 years ago, and the originator of an addition to the HALL, named "The Legacy and Legends Program." There is now a "Place of Pride" where the ongoing selections can be added annually, now including women. After many years of overall leadership and heading up the selection process, Dick, at a special induction ceremony, became a "Hall of Famer" himself! He took pride being known as one of the "Back Row Boys," holding court at any, and most, games- always in the back row. Were they scouting with an eye to the future?
The Melrose High School Marching Band was gaining support and enthusiasm for entering a competition in Scotland. What a project!! Not surprisingly, Dick stepped up in the planning and fundraising efforts. Finally the funds received from families, businesses, parents, grandparents, and the city, combined with numerous band performance donations, the goal was reached and every band member packed up their flags, instruments, uniforms music, etc., filled up the buses and headed to Logan Airport and Scotland. Dick served for several years under a new longlasting title, "Band-Aider in Chief."
A curious man, his interest was piqued when he found in an old family chest with information about how his grandmother, Jesse, in England, was born in the house where some of the Pilgrims had stayed before sailing on the Mayflower. This was the spark for the many years and miles he spent in search of the family genealogy, here and in England. He added new branches and leaves to the family tree along the way. Over the years he compiled two meticulously coded and organized books of his findings including documents, pictures etc, etc. He loved to share especially his "can you believe he or she really did that?" discoveries, and there were many.
On a Sunday he could be found at the Melrose Highlands Congregational Church setting up to record the upcoming service. He was elected and served as President of the Melrose Lions Club. He also served in the MA Yankee Division of the National Guard.
On their first trip "across the pond" to England, Janet and Richard received "royal treatment" from family members in Plymouth and Bristol. They were smitten by all things English! It was to be the first of many, many trips between traveling through many states here and national parks, including Alaska. Plans were always in the works for new adventure.
Yes, he also had a day job! After graduating from Melrose High School, following his interest in photography & graphics, he began his long career of 41 years at MIT. Changes in technology were constant and, as manager, staying ahead was key.
One of the early projects he was involved in was working with his uncle, also at MIT, in the production of a huge mural for display at the Museum of Science in Boston: a shocking, bigger than life photo of the explosion of an Atomic Bomb. There were many changes in personnel, location, equipment, and work assignments over the following years. In 1964, it became part of the Sloan School of Graphic Arts Center.
In a 1992 report in "Area of the Month Sloan School Graphic Arts Center," his report gave the following information: "At this time (1992), there is a full-time staff of 6 and temporary staff of 2. Newly added to the work volume were the 16,000,000 graphics of annual copies from the "Class Notes or Readings," in addition to the existing, almost unlimited, offerings of how, when, and where a project can go, from start to finish." Soon, the need for more space, more & new equipment, and more personnel would be a new reality calling for a really big move.
He was a member of the MIT Quarter Century Club and always looked forward to the catch-ups. He was known as a "go to guy " for all things MIT. Quote from an MIT interview, "Take a moment to talk to Dick. There's no telling what hidden pearls of MIT you will discover;" such as: "He recalls a 12ft. weather balloon, emblazoned with "MIT" that an MIT fraternity buried beneath the sod of Harvard Stadium and then inflated it during a key play in a Harvard-Yale game."

A second quote from an MIT interview, "You've seen him. He's the tall gray-haired man, with a gentle manner, who always comes through in a pinch."

2 Timothy 4: 7 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

Visiting Hours: Services will be private. Remembrances in his name may be sent to: Melrose High School Hall of Fame, care of Bill Di Simone, Treasurer, 121 Whitman Ave., Melrose, MA 02176.

View the online memorial for Richard M. "Dick" COLLIS