David S. Collins
Most Worshipful Grand Master
Most Worshipful Brother David Scott Collins was born in Colebrook, New Hampshire and attended local schools graduating from Colebrook Academy. David then continued his education and received a Degree in Business Management from Plymouth State University.
David has spent most of his adult life in the insurance business, following his father as the second generation of his family in insurance. David began his career starting a local insurance agency in Colebrook with his father and after the agency was on solid footing he moved to southern NH and worked for a large commercial insurance agency. David is presently employed by a national insurance agency distribution network as an agency development field specialist.
David has been active in his community serving as an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician and Fire Fighter with the Webster, NH Fire Dept. and the Penacook Rescue Squad. Presently he serves as on the Board of Trustees for Penacook Rescue. David helped to establish the Colebrook Area Historical Society of Colebrook, NH at the age of 21 and he still serves the organization to this day as its President. In 2020 he leads the Town of Colebrook’s 250th Celebration and for his work was named Colebrook, NH’s 2021 Citizen of the Year.
David began his Masonic journey in Evening Star Lodge No. 37 in Colebrook, New Hampshire in January 1996 being one of the first candidates in Journeymen’s Lodge No. 1797 (a special Lodge for one year); passed to the Degree of Fellow Craft in February 1996, and was Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in May of 1996 in a special meeting held in the William Pitt Tavern in Strawberry Banke in Portsmouth, NH; the home of the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire. He was installed as Master of his Lodge in 2006 and again in 2007. In 2011 his Lodge bestowed upon him the Major General John Sullivan Distinguished Service Award in Bronze. He presently serves his Lodge as the Deputy Secretary. Brother Collins also served as the Worshipful Master of Anniversary Lodge of Research No. 175 in 2018 & 2019.
In Grand Lodge, David was appointed as a District Education Officer in 2007 and 2008, District Deputy Grand Lecturer in 2009, and District Deputy Grand Master in 2010. In 2011 Brother Collins was appointed to the progressive Grand Lodge line to position of Junior Grand Deacon by Grand Master Paul M. Leary. In 2020 Brother Collins received the Jeremy Ladd Cross Award for his longtime efforts for the betterment of Freemasonry in New Hampshire.
Brother Collins has been a member of the York Rite since 1997. He has served as High Priest of North Star Chapter No. 16 RAM, Thrice Illustrious Master of Evening Star Council No. 13 R&SM and as Eminent Commander of North Star St. Gerard Commandery No. 4. Brother Collins presently serves as a Grand officer in the New Hampshire York Rite – Grand Chapter and Grand Council. From 2019 to 2021 he served as the Right Eminent Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of New Hampshire. Brother Collins was awarded the Knight Templar Cross of Honor by the Grand Commandery of NH in 2015 and the Distinguished Service Medal by the Grand Chapter of NH in 2016. Brother Collins is a member of the following Invitational and Honorary bodies of the York Rite: Granite State Conclave Red Cross of Constantine, John Harris Council No. 458 Allied Masonic Degrees, Palestine Tabernacle No. XLI Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests –serving as Very Eminent Preceptor in 2018, Profile York Rite College No. 100 – serving as the Pre-eminent Governor in 2019 & 2020, Scenic Council No. 37- Knight Masons – serving as Excellent Chief and NH Priory No. 58 Knight York Court of Honor – serving as the Eminent Prior. David is also a Grade VII member of the New Hampshire College Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis. In August of 2019 in Salt Lake City, UT the York Rite Sovereign College of North America conferred the Order of the Purple Cross on Brother Collins for his dedicated work in Masonry.
Brother Collins has been a member of the Scottish Rite in the Valley of Lancaster / Littleton since 1997. He has served as the Thrice Potent Master of the North Star Lodge of Perfection and Most Wise Master of the Littleton Chapter of Rose Croix, presently serving as the Sovereign Prince of Washington Council Princes of Jerusalem. In November 2014 he was awarded the Meritorious Service Award for his work in the Valley. Brother Collins received the 33rd Degree of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite – NMJ in Rochester, NY on August 29, 2017.
Brother Collins is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. He received his Eastern Star Degrees in February 1997 in Eureka Chapter No. 2 of Colebrook; which has since merged with Mt. Eustis No. 37 of Littleton, NH.
Brother Collins is active with New Hampshire Demolay serving as the State Treasurer since 2015. He received the Legion of Honor from Demolay in 2014 and in 2016 was awarded the Guild of the Leather Apron, Advisor of the Year Award.
Brother Collins is a member of the Bektash Shrine. He was fezzed in 2005 and played the bugle for many years with the Bektash Shrine Drum & Bugle Corps.
David is happily married to wife Colleen. In his spare time David enjoys researching and documenting the local history of northern NH, writing a bi-weekly historical column for a local paper and visiting local historical spots throughout the country.
