James Waller Collinson

James “Jim” Waller Collinson, 87, of Fort Collins, Colorado, died on January 4, 2026, from complications of a rare blood disease. Jim was born in Moline, Illinois, in 1938 to Melvin Daniel Collinson and Helen Collinson. Early formative experiences at his family’s quarry fueled his curiosity and inspired him to pursue a career in geology. He attended Moline High School, and he received a B.A. in German with a minor in geology from Augustana College. He earned a Ph.D. in geology from Stanford University, where he met and in 1961, married fellow student Jane Chapman Collinson (deceased 1991). In 1966, Jim joined the faculty of The Ohio State University as Professor of Geology and Paleontology, where he taught sedimentary geology and paleontology for more than 30 years. His significant research for the university’s Byrd Polar Institute included discovering the first vertebrate tetrapod skeleton in Antarctica in 1970. He was part of an expedition the previous year that uncovered many bones, but no skeletons. These discoveries provided evidence for continental drift at a time when the theory of plate tectonics was just starting to be accepted by the scientific community. In 1972, he was awarded the United States Antarctic Service Medal. In recognition of his contributions, Collinson Ridge in Antarctica was named in his honor by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names. In 1980, he received a Fulbright-Hays Senior Research Award at the University of Tasmania to study Triassic rocks and compare them with similar rocks in Antarctica. His work was further honored when the 1986 fossil discovery of a 15-meter Antarctic amphibian on an expedition led by a colleague from Augustana College was later named Kryostega collinsoni. Jim spent his retirement in Fort Collins, Colorado, with his second wife Madeleine Collinson. He was active in his church, volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, and taught afterschool science programs at a Title I school. He also taught classes at the Osher Institute for Lifelong Learning at Colorado State University, participated in the Rotary Club, and, for 13 years, presented lectures on Antarctic cruise ships. Jim’s lifelong passion for geology, dedication to education, and commitment to service leave a lasting impact on all who knew him. Jim is survived by his children, Catherine and John Collinson; his second wife, Madeleine Collinson; four stepchildren; ten grandchildren; and his beloved dogs Buddy and Jacques. A celebration of life service will be held at First United Methodist Church in Fort Collins on January 31 at 11 a.m. Mountain Time. The church is located at 1005 Stover St, Fort Collins, CO 80524. The service will also be streamed live at https://www.firstchurchfc.org. Donations can be made to First United Methodist Church of Fort Collins, Fort Collins Habitat for Humanity, Augustana College, or the Byrd Polar Institute at the Ohio State University.

Tributes

James Waller Collinson

June 24, 1938 - January 4, 2026