Collin Maher, a freshman at Washington University in St. Louis and a young man whose life was already marked by remarkable generosity and purpose, has passed away. He was 18 years old.
The news of his death was announced by the Alpha Epsilon Pi Sigma Chapter at Washington University, where he had become a beloved brother to many.
His passing has sent waves of grief through his university community, his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia, and everyone whose life he touched along the way.
Collin grew up in Atlanta and attended The Mount Vernon School from 2017 to 2025, where he laid the foundation for the kind of person he would become.
He was not content to simply go through the motions of student life. As a sophomore in high school in 2022, he founded Collins Classic Charities Corporation and launched the Cocoa Classic Charity 5K Run, a fundraising event dedicated to supporting economically disadvantaged elementary school students in his community.
The mission was clear and close to his heart: provide resources that encourage physical activity and healthy living, because he believed that when children feel good in their bodies, they show up better in school and in life.
Through his efforts, he gave away over 600 pairs of shoes to elementary school kids, an achievement that earned him local news coverage and the admiration of his peers and mentors alike.
His commitment to others did not stop there. Collin earned the rank of Eagle Scout from the Boy Scouts of America in November 2024, one of the highest honors a young person can achieve in scouting and a recognition of years of dedicated service and leadership.
He also volunteered regularly with the Community Assistance Center, further reflecting his instinct to show up for people who needed support.
Professionally, even at his young age, Collin had already built a resume that most people would be proud of at twice his age.
He interned at Delta Air Lines, worked as a guide for High Country Outfitters in Atlanta, and took on seasonal production work at Laurence Candle Mfg and Church Supplies in Massachusetts.
Each experience pointed to a young man who was curious, hardworking, and eager to understand how the world worked.
In the fall of 2025, he began his Bachelor of Business Administration at Washington University in St. Louis, joining the Class of 2029.
There he joined Alpha Epsilon Pi, and, by all accounts, found a second family. The fraternity’s tribute to him spoke not just of grief but of transformation.
They described a person who was unapologetically himself and who helped those around him understand and love themselves better. That is a rare quality in anyone, let alone someone just beginning adulthood.
Those who knew Collin remember his smile, his laugh, and the quiet but powerful way he made people feel seen.
He was the kind of person who led not because he sought recognition but because he genuinely cared about the people standing next to him.
Collin Maher was 18 years old. He founded a charity, earned an Eagle Scout distinction, gave away hundreds of pairs of shoes, and loved his friends fiercely.
He lived more in his short life than many do in a long one. May his memory be a blessing.
