HANOVER, N.H. — H. Douglas Collins MD, died Oct. 14, 2008 at the age of 80 at the retirement community at Kendal of Hanover, N.H., a victim of Alzheimer's disease.

Born and raised in Caribou, he was the third son of Samuel W. and Elizabeth Black Collins. He graduated from the University of Maine and went on to Harvard Medical School, class of 1952.

He completed his internal medicine internship and residency at Massachusetts General Hospital. After serving a Public Health Service in Anchorage, Alaska, he established a solo practice in Caribou. He returned to Massachusetts General Hospital in 1972 for a refresher year of residency. From 1975 to 1980, he directed the Central Maine-Dartmouth Family Practice Residency in Augusta.

Following this position, he returned to his medical practice in Caribou, from 1980 to 1986. He was elected to the Institute of Medicine in 1982 and served on a number of national committees of this division of the National Academy of Sciences. He retired to take care of his wife of 36 years, Helen Fraser Collins, who died of cancer.

Following his retirement, he was appointed a Governor of the American Board of Internal Medicine, from 1988 to 1991. In 1989, he received the Laureate Award of the Maine Chapter of the American College of Physicians: "For his contributions to his clinical practice of medicine as a long-term provider of quality healthcare in a rural environment, whose perspectives he brought to the Institute of Medicine and American Board of Internal Medicine, and his accomplishments in medical education as a residency director."

In 1992, he was awarded a Mastership in the American College of Physicians at the college's 73rd annual meeting in San Diego. This award is given to Fellows who have made distinguished contributions to the medical profession because of personal character, positions of honor, influence and eminence in practice in the art of medicine. Fourteen Masterships were awarded that year in the U.S.

During this time, he married Mary Libby Dresser. Living at Sugarloaf from December

through April was one of the happiest times of

his retirement. He enjoyed working on the races and watching the racers improve their scores. Both he and Mary loved the fun of racing Locals and meeting all of the younger people around the mountain.

He leaves his wife, Mary; two sons, Herschel, Gordon and his wife, Susan; one daughter, Linda and her husband, John Dunn; eight Collins grandchildren; and one greatgrandchild. He leaves Mary's two sons, Thomas Dresser and his wife, Gail, Peter Dresser and his wife, Robyn; one daughter, Jane and her husband, Steve Howe; as well as six step-grandchildren. He also leaves three brothers, Samuel W. Collins Jr. and his wife, Dorothy, Donald F. Collins and his wife, Patricia and David A. Collins.

A service to celebrate his life was held Oct. 25, 2008 at Carey Medical Center in Caribou.

Friends who wish may donate in Doug's memory to Carey Medical Center, 162 Van Buren Rd., Caribou, Maine 04736.