UGA Mourns Loss of Three Treasured Bulldogs

February marked the passing of three members of the Bulldog family. I wanted to take a moment today to recognize these wonderful alumni and their achievements. My deepest sympathies to their families.

Juanita Daniel Marsh (BSHE ’47)

Juanita Daniel Marsh (BSHE ’47), 86, passed away on February 9 surrounded by her family. Marsh was raised in Elberton, where she graduated first in her class from Centerville High School. Marsh attended UGA on scholarship and graduated in 1946 with a degree in home economics. She loved her time at the University and often told stories of working in the dining hall, bookstore, and the dorm.

After graduation, Marsh moved to Statesboro to become a home demonstration agent. She attended law school at night, and was admitted to the Georgia Bar in 1951. Twenty years later, she was selected as a City Court judge in College Park. She was always proud of being one of the first women judges in the state of Georgia.

While serving as a judge, Marsh saw many Georgians dealing with substance abuse problems. After facing the same challenges with her youngest son, Marsh founded Anchor Hospital of College Park in 1986. She never stopped helping individuals and their families deal with substance abuse and mental health issues.

Harley Landgdale Jr. (BSF ’37)

At 98, Harley Langdale (BSF ’37) was the oldest living registered forester in the country, leaving behind a legacy unequaled in generosity, faith and humbleness. “Mr. Harley” passed away on February 11. He was known for living in an austere manner, eschewing personal luxury for the ability to help others. Following the guidance of his father, all of his company’s profits went back into the company. Employing hundreds and creating a foundation to benefit thousands were the legacies he successfully left behind.

Mr. Harley’s family was involved in forestry and farming decades before Mr. Harley’s birth. As the eldest son, he carried most of the responsibility for his family’s company. In the mid-1930s, he transferred from the Citadel to UGA, where he earned his bachelor’s degree from what was then the George Foster Peabody School of Forestry. Upon graduation, Mr. Harley embarked on a storied career that changed the forest industry. He received the Warnell School’s Distinguished Alumnus Award for his creation of one of Georgia’s most successful forest products companies and was a leader in the industry for more than 70 years.

Dr. William Coppedge “Bill” Collins (BS ’59)

Dr. "Bill" Collins (BS ’59), 75, passed away on February 25. Collins was born in July 1937 in Monroe County, Georgia. As a result of his high school achievements, Collins was awarded the first General Motors Scholarship. This allowed him to attend UGA, where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, president of his sophomore and junior classes, and was selected for membership in Phi Beta Kappa, Omicron Delta Kappa, Gridiron, and the Blue Key Society.  Collins also met his wife, Jan Williams Collins (AB ’59), a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and a Georgia Redcoat Band majorette, while attending UGA.

In 1970, after medical school, Collins opened Northside Orthopedic Clinic in Sandy Springs. He was one of the first orthopedists in Sandy Springs and at Northside Hospital.

Collins and his wife led their family on trips to 49 states, including Alaska, in a motor home over the course of 8 summers. The camper couldn't float, so he flew everyone to Hawaii to pick up the elusive 50th state. Georgia football was another passion for Collins, earning him the nickname "Big Dawg." Above all else, Collins treasured family, and will be greatly by those who survive him.

These individuals brought great pride to the Bulldog family – their professional and personal accomplishments are impressive and illustrate the wide range of industries UGA graduates affect. They will each be missed by those who knew them and by the rest of the Bulldog Nation.

Information for this blog post was sourced from the following obituaries: Marsh, Harley, and Collins.

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