Rick Collett was born to Frank and Sunny Collett on Jan. 14, 1951 in San Antonio. After spending his early years there, his family moved to Blanco in 1959. He left high school at age 17 to enlist in the U.S. Army, serving two tours in Vietnam. A platoon leader and demolition specialist, Collett saw combat as a sergeant in the 101st Airborne, Screaming Eagles with the 4th infantry.