Respected oil and gas veteran Ted Collins Jr., who served as a director at several large energy companies including RSP Permian Inc. (NYSE: RSPP) and Oasis Petroleum Inc. (NYSE: OAS) died unexpectedly on Jan. 28. He was 79.

Mr. Collins led a 50-year career that including his co-founding of Collins and Young LLC. The company amassed more than 100,000 acres in the Barnett Shale, which later sold for more than $3 billion. He also served as president of HNG Oil Co., which later became Enron Oil and Gas Co. He departed before Enron’s financial troubles began.

In 2006, he received a lifetime achievement award from the American Association of Professional Landmen along with several other awards, including his 2009 induction into the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum Hall of Fame.

“On behalf of the board of directors and the entire RSP Permian team, we want to extend our deepest sympathies to Ted’s family,” RSP CEO Steve Gray said in a news release. “In addition to being a good friend and a prominent figure in the energy industry, he was a valued member of the RSP Permian family and we are forever grateful for his contributions.”

Kimbell Royalty Partners LP (NYSE: KRP) said Mr. Collins joined the board of directors of Kimbell's general partner at the time of the company’s 2017 IPO.

“Ted's distinguished career in the oil and gas exploration and production business spanned more than five decades, and we are very sad to lose him both as a good friend and as a wise counselor to Kimbell Royalty Partners,” said Robert Ravnaas, chairman and CEO of Kimbell Royalty Partners' general partner. “We will miss his advice, sense of humor and friendship.”