Theodore (Ted) John Collins

Theodore (Ted) John Collins, beloved husband, father, grandfather, sibling, uncle, and friend, passed away on Sunday, August 3, 2025 at the age of 88 in the presence of family. He had an incredible life, and he will be deeply missed.

Ted was born on October 2, 1936, in Walla Walla, Washington. He spent his childhood on the family wheat farm in Waitsburg, Washington, surrounded by his six lively siblings: Colleen, Roselle, Suzanne, Robert, Janet, and Thomas.

Ted was the first of his siblings to leave the state for college. While his older five siblings attended Washington State University (and his mom received WSU’s Mother of the Year award several times), Ted forged a new path by attending the University of Notre Dame, graduating in 1958. He continued his education with a Fulbright Scholarship, studying at the University of Bonn in Germany. After the Fulbright study ended, he attended Harvard Law School, graduating in 1962.

Ted began his legal career at the law firm of Perkins Coie, where he soon became a partner. While at Perkins Coie, he was the head of the litigation department and acted as the administrative partner. It was during his time at Perkins that he met his lifelong partner, Patricia Pasieka. She caught his eye while she was working as a law clerk for a federal district court judge in Seattle. They married in 1968 and had five children: Jonathan, Caitlin, Matthew, Patrick, and Flannary.

After 24 years at Perkins Coie, Ted was hired by the Boeing Company in 1986 as Vice President and General Counsel. He found the issues he dealt with at Boeing to be both challenging and rewarding. Ted retired from Boeing in 2000 when the company moved its headquarters to Chicago.

After retiring from Boeing, Ted continued his legal career in an “Of Counsel” position at Perkins Coie. He also taught a class called The Corporation and Public Policy as an adjunct law professor at Seattle University School of Law (2002-2007). He gave back to the community by performing volunteer legal work at the Downtown Emergency Services Center. Ted served on the Municipal League of King County Board of Directors, the Seattle Public Library Foundation Board of Directors (1999-2019), and the Seattle University Board of Trustees (1996-2012).

Ted was an avid athlete. He was a member of the Washington Athletic Club for over 60 years, where he enjoyed playing basketball, racquetball and lifting weights. He coached his children’s youth soccer teams and played on the Mt. Baker neighborhood soccer team, the Flounders. He learned to ski while studying in Bonn and he was an enthusiastic golfer. In the early 1990s he began running marathons, ultimately completing over 40 marathons and winning many awards in the 70 and over age group.

Ted was a lifelong learner and multi-talented. He played the guitar, sang at family sing-a-longs, and was a long time member of the St. Therese choir. He participated in a book club, loved cheering on the Mariners and the Supersonics, and every St. Patrick’s Day you would find him dancing at a local Irish bar. He and Patricia enjoyed traveling, attending the opera and the theater, and dining out around the city.

Ted is survived by his wife, Patricia, his daughters Caitlin (Loren Armstrong) and Flannary (Tom Hardy), his sons Jonathan, Matthew (Betsy), and Patrick (Heidi), and his ten grandchildren: Max, Lillian, Theo, Quinn, Cassidy, Julianna, Finley, Marlowe, Willow, and Nico.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Seattle Public Library Foundation, Seattle University, or a charity of your choice.