Evan R. Collins

Evan Revere Collins Jr. passed away peacefully at his home in Santa Barbara, California on February 1,  2022, at the age of 84.  He was born in Massachusetts, graduated from Dartmouth College and Tuck  School of Business, and lived in New York and Arizona before settling in Santa Barbara in 1995. 

Evan’s career in finance spanned Kidder, Peabody & Co., Prudential Securities, and Wachovia Securities.   He served as a dedicated board member and financial advisor to The Free Methodist Church of Santa  Barbara, The Free Methodist Foundation, Azusa Pacific University, Santa Barbara Symphony, and Tri-State  United Ways of Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York.  As President of Butterfield Foundation, Evan will  be remembered for his work to set up free medical clinics, comprehensive medical records for migrant  populations and the homeless, and Christian adoption centers in Oklahoma. 

During his time in New York, Evan was an accomplished sports car racer, winning two national titles and  setting numerous track records.  He was a car aficionado with a love of classic cars and a skilled  mechanic.  Evan could often be found working in his wood shop and tinkering on household projects.  He  enjoyed helping his wife care for their beehives and spending time with his grandchildren. 

Evan is survived by his wife, Juanita Christensen Collins; sister, Marta Collins Cahn; 4 children, Evan R.  Collins III, Elizabeth Burnette, Randell Collins, and Lindsay Emmerson; 8 grandchildren; and 1 great  grandchild. 

Evan was a member of the Free Methodist Church of Santa Barbara and a strong supporter of Azusa  Pacific University.  A memorial service will be held at Azusa Pacific Upper Turner Campus Center on  Saturday, February 12th at 1 o’clock.  Reception to follow.  In lieu of flowers, please send donations to  APU University Fund to support student scholarships.  Gifts can be mailed to APU directly or given online  at www.apu.edu/give in memory of Evan Collins.