Officer Charles Floyd Collins, II

I just discovered this site, recalling the name of my most pleasant meeting with Officer Collins just after the 2009 Yukon River flood when I was paddling the first 1000 mile canoe race from Whitehorse to the Dalton Bridge. I am sorry to be so late to post this remembrance.

I had spoken with Officer Collins by phone earlier before the race and we had an informative conversation about the upcoming canoe race and river conditions. We were required to stop at Eagle to show our passports during the race. He told me my team of 7 paddlers in a large voyageur canoe that we would be in and out within two minutes if we had our passports ready, with a very minimal time lost during the race. When we arrived at Eagle, he was so interesting to converse and spend some time with, we actually lingered about a half hour with him at the landing, discussing the recent record flood and the race. No other canoe passed us in the meantime.

I have a couple of photos of him and us that I could post if there is a place to do that.

I had heard about and was quite saddened by his unfortunate accident a year later, before our return to another race. He was sorely missed.

Paul Repak (USAF LtCol, Retired)
Adirondack Voyageurs canoe race team

February 2, 2023