Former Clear Lake Chamber, EDC leader found dead

by Marianne Gasaway

Former Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development leader David Collins has died.

Police found Collins dead in his Washington, Iowa home after being requested to check on him just before noon on Wednesday, July 22.  No foul play is suspected.

Collins moved to Washington in 2018 to become the director of the Washington Economic Development Group.

“David had the fortune to spend his last month traveling with family and friends,” according to Michelle Redlinger, executive director of the Washington Chamber of Commerce.  “He was a faithful Rotarian, a political activist, and an enthusiastic Nebraska Cornhusker.  The Washington Business Partnership has lost a great leader that had a deep passion for the success of the WEDG and Washington County.”

Collins served as executive director of the Clear Lake Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce (Chamber) from January 1994 to June 2006.   During that time he played a key role in numerous projects and activities, including: recruitment of Serta Mattress, Lawrence Transportation, Alliant’s Emery Generating Station, Charlie Brown Child Care Center, Meadow Lakes Apartments and Lake Plaza Senior Housing.  At the time he resigned to accept the position of Economic Development Director for the Hubbard County Regional Economic Development Authority in Park Rapids, Minn., he listed an increase in membership by over 270 percent, numerous new chamber/ community events, and addition of the Main Street Trolley, among his accomplishments. There was also more than

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an 800 percent increase in the Chamber’s July 4th fireworks budget, bricks, lights, street corner signs and many more expanded and new city attractions during his tenure here.

He left Clear Lake to accept an economic development position in Park Rapids, Minn.  He served there for 12 years before moving to Washington, Iowa.

Those that worked with Collins during his time in Clear Lake remembered him as a down-to-earth person who was an effective leader.

“I was on the Board while he was here and president for a short time before he left,” said Mike Finnegan. “He seemed to always be willing to make tough decisions that he felt were in the best interest of the Chamber, even though the decision may not have been popular with everyone involved.   He was a good advocate for the Chamber and one of the best executives I ever had the privilege of working with.”

As the leader of July 4th festivities, Alice Hanley worked with Collins for many years.  “Of course, there’s the memory of the year we held over the carnival an extra weekend, so it was four to five days longer than usual. On a personal level I loved it, but it was kind of like the movie Groundhog Day with the same thing happening over and over,” she joked. “Tom Evans (owner of Evans United Shows) told me that Dave always remembered to call him on his birthday.  That meant a lot to Tom. He looked forward to that call.

After he’d left the Chamber, Dave would make an effort to touch base whenever he was in town to see how everything was going.”

Trish Funderman got her start at the Chamber when Collins hired her in 1995.  “He was a great boss who had passion for Clear Lake and wanted it to be the best it could be. He taught me everything I know about event planning,” she said.

Collins was also a great sport when it came to keeping things light in the office.

“He couldn’t stand music playing in our offices, but I refused to stop playing mine. We used to go around about that all the time,” she said with a grin.  “We had some great times getting him on April Fools day and once hid a radio in the ceiling tiles and he couldn’t figure out where the music was coming from.”

Laurie Lietz, tourism director during the years Collins was at the Chamber, remembers the fun, too.

Lietz and Funderman recalled tying fishing line to a plant in Collins’ office and running it on top of ceiling tiles to her office.   “Laurie would move it randomly from her office when he had someone in there.  That was hilarious,” said Funderman.

On the more serious side, Lietz said Collins was a mentor to all in the Chamber office.

“He groomed us to be professionals and led by example. When he came up with the idea for Christmas Visions (a Christmas light show at State Park) we thought he had lost his mind.  It was a very labor intensive project and he really dug in.  He never asked us to do anything he wouldn’t do himself.”

“Dave was always on top of getting things done on time and doing the best for the Chamber / EDC/ and Tourism.  We worked as a ‘Team,’ had fun and got our jobs done,” added Rod Rozevink, who was also hired by Collins and worked with Funderman and Lietz.  “Dave was very community oriented and looked out for what was the best for the organization and community.  His humor in the office will never be forgotten.”

“Dave would still pop in and visit me when he was back in this area,” said Funderman.  “It was always good to see him and visit about the good old days.   I have a lot of great memories with working for Dave for all those years.  I wouldn’t be where I am at today if not for Dave, and I am forever grateful.”

Celebration of life services and interment for David Collins will be held in Overton, Neb. at a later date.  Jones-Eden Funeral Home, Washington, is in charge.

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