Richard Royce Watkins
March 31, 1937 — March 21, 2019
Richard Royce Watkins born March 31, 1937 in Des Moines, Iowa passed away Thursday, March 21, 2019 at his home in Knoxville. Preceded in death by his parents John E. Watkins and Joyce (Geddes) Watkins who raised Richard, an only child, on a farm near Rhodes. It was here that he learned the value of hard work.
Richard graduated high school from Melbourne in 1955. Following high school, Richard entered the United States Air Force. He was stationed in Washington, DC, primarily at the Pentagon. After Richard’s honorable discharge he served as an officer in the Washington DC Metro Police Department. He eventually returned to Iowa and resided in Maxwell where he worked as a lineman for GTE Telephone.
After his retirement he resided part time in Arizona. He considered it a second home and always had a love for the Southwest. Beyond Arizona he spent much of his time traveling the US, with an endlessly changing horizon. In his spare time, Richard enjoyed genealogy, collecting coins and stamps, and camping.
Those left to honor Richard’s memory include his children: Steve (Carol) McLaughlin of Melcher, Lorie Mestdagh of Des Moines, Lisa (David) Mens of Ames and LaDonna (Eric) Pagel of Maxwell; 6 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; his companion, Charlotte Dreher and her family, Michelle, Andrea and Susan and many other family members and friends – including two Chihuahuas and a tuxedo cat.
He will be laid to rest at the Veteran’s Cemetery at 11:00 on Tuesday March 26th by the love of his life, Katie Watkins. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the RNC. Rich would have liked that.
Richard graduated high school from Melbourne in 1955. Following high school, Richard entered the United States Air Force. He was stationed in Washington, DC, primarily at the Pentagon. After Richard’s honorable discharge he served as an officer in the Washington DC Metro Police Department. He eventually returned to Iowa and resided in Maxwell where he worked as a lineman for GTE Telephone.
After his retirement he resided part time in Arizona. He considered it a second home and always had a love for the Southwest. Beyond Arizona he spent much of his time traveling the US, with an endlessly changing horizon. In his spare time, Richard enjoyed genealogy, collecting coins and stamps, and camping.
Those left to honor Richard’s memory include his children: Steve (Carol) McLaughlin of Melcher, Lorie Mestdagh of Des Moines, Lisa (David) Mens of Ames and LaDonna (Eric) Pagel of Maxwell; 6 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; his companion, Charlotte Dreher and her family, Michelle, Andrea and Susan and many other family members and friends – including two Chihuahuas and a tuxedo cat.
He will be laid to rest at the Veteran’s Cemetery at 11:00 on Tuesday March 26th by the love of his life, Katie Watkins. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the RNC. Rich would have liked that.
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