Martin Joseph Kollar, Jr.

Mr Kollar was an inspiration. My fondest memory is of Mr Kollar leading students on a trip to Den Haag for Model United Nations. I remember representing Jamaica and selling Pop Tarts before school to raise money for the trip!
It was so wonderful to see Mr Kollar at the KAHS All Class reunion in Charlotte in June. We all made more memories there – memories that I will hold dear. Thank you Mr Kollar … Rock on spinning vinyl with a full glass of wine in Heaven. See you again on the other side…

Sending all of my love to the entire Family. He was an amazing Teacher and the BEST Class Sponsor every year of my HS years! Sending you Hugs Tracey♥️

My heart goes out to the Kollar family, which actually extends to his former students and everyone who loved him from KAHS. I didn’t have him as a teacher or coach during my three years in K-Town, but everyone, including me, knew he was an amazing person. He left an enormous footprint on this earth and thousands of students and fellow faculty members are better because of his purposeful presence. The magnitude of his legacy is a true testimony for many years to come and a true inspiration for those left behind. It’s only a see you later, may you Rest In Peace

What an amazing educator and human being we lost. Even if you didn’t have Mr. Kollar as a teacher or coach, he impacted you. It’s been amazing seeing him at the various K-Town reunions and how blessed we all are to have the memories of him in Charlotte to hold onto. My condolences to his family and loved ones.

Happy Heavenly Birthday to Mr. Kollar! He will definitely be missed. He made my transition to Germany so much better with his teaching style. I made my decision to attend the Charlotte Reunion when I heard he would be in attendance. I’m so glad I attended. My sincere condolences to his family, friends and past students.

I amso very sorry.Mr. Kollar was a great
Teacher,coach and friend.

Dearest Jeanie,
I’m so sorry to hear of Marty’s passing. Although we never got to meet, I felt like I knew Marty through you and our common connection of NMSU and Las Cruces, NM. I believe we would have had such a great time being around him, from all the tributes being written. May you find comfort in knowing your beloved husband also knew you mutually as the love of his life. Sending love and prayers for you and your family.

Jeanne,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Although we haven’t had much contact since our days at FHS, I’ve read your FB posts describing the full life your family had. My hope is that the support of faith, family and friends will help you through the difficult times ahead.
You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Connie Gundling Simpson

It’s difficult to even know where to begin because Mr. Kollar impacted the lives of so many across the years and continents. He made a difference in the course of the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, of students during his time teaching and coaching at K-Town. It’s no secret that his methods were unconventional and he was known for many of his quirks, which his former students will endearingly share stories about (we’ve all heard the ones about him “sneaking” through the forest in his red Porsche during CC practices…). He is truly a legend–but the thing I will remember him for the most (between class, MUN, CC, Track, his famous Frito pie fundraisers, etc.) is his dedication to his Cross Country team. It’s so extremely unique to find a teacher (and a male teacher, nonetheless) who believes so strongly in the strengths of young women, in their ability to persevere and endure, and in true Girl Power. One of Coach K’s greatest contributions across the years was in teaching teenage girls to be confident, empowered, and strong, and that they are capable and resilient, whether through using their voices to speak up for what they believe in, or using their physical strength to dominate on the course and win races. Coach played an instrumental role in my life during high school, and helped me find a niche and friends who were right for me. His personalized notes before meets always said just the thing you needed to hear, even if you weren’t entirely sure what it meant. He was always there to cheer you on right when you thought you couldn’t go any further. I still have some of the packets he gave us with photos and quotes for CC, and recently found emails he sent me checking in over the summers during high school. He cared so deeply for his students. Some of my best memories are of MUN trips, lunches in his classroom, and one of the very best–interviewing him for an article for the THIMUN newspaper during his last year of teaching. He inspired me to be better in so many ways, and played a major role in my decision to eventually become a teacher myself. There are so many things I would like to articulate about just how amazing of a human he truly was, but words really just don’t do it justice. Mrs. Kollar and family, I am so deeply sorry for your loss–you have been in my thoughts constantly since I heard the news. Please know that so many of us around the globe will keep him alive in our memories, stories, inspirations, and thoughts. On one of the CC packets he gave us back in 2006, the cover says “It is the human spirit that defines who we are.” Coach had an amazing spirit, and I believe that it will continue to live on through all of the lives he touched.

Marty was truly a free spirit and loved his family, travels, and wine deeply. Tschuss to a precious man!

The absolute best track and field coach! He made me into an NCAA hurdler! He new my potential even before I knew it! rest in heaven Coach!