Robert E. "Bob" Watson, the son of Harlow Woodrow Watson and Merle Marie (Finch) Watson, was born January 21, 1947 in Santa Maria, Calif., and passed on May 3, 2021 at Stormont-Vail Health, Topeka, Kan., from complications due to pneumonia at the age of 74 years, 3 months, 11 days.
Bob attended grade school in Lovewell, Kan., and later graduated from Mankato High School in 1965. He then attended Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kan., until he entered the U.S. Army. Bob served during the Vietnam War in Artillery until his honorable discharge. He was a designated disabled veteran. He returned to K-State and completed his Bachelor of Science, graduating in December of 1972.
Bob then returned to Jewell County where he began farming. He was a farmer and stockman all of his life and also worked for Reinke Mfg. in Deshler, Neb., for 8 and a half years.
On February 17, 1973, he was united in marriage to Elaine K. Searcy and to this union three children were born, Curtis, Travis, and Hilary. The couple made their home in rural Formoso, Kan.
Bob was a member of the Mankato VFW and the Scandia American Legion. He served in the honor detail for funerals for many years. Bob was always willing to help his neighbors and friends and took great joy in providing home raised pork and garden produce to his friends and family.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Bob is survived by his wife, Elaine K. Watson of rural Formoso, Kan.; two sons, Curtis (Glena) Watson of Spokane, Wash., and Travis (Jennifer) Watson of Aurora, Colo.; one daughter, Hilary (Kerry) Campbell of St. Charles, Ill.; five grandchildren, Lesley, Henry, and Oscar Watson and Morgan and Anna Campbell; one sister, Harleen (Don) Pino of Walsenberg, Colo.; other relatives, and friends.
Cremation was selected and graveside memorial services and inurnment will be held at 4:30 PM, Monday, May 10, 2021 at the Balch Cemetery, rural Formoso, Kan.
Military Graveside Rites will be conducted by the Ft. Riley Honor Detail, Ft, Riley, Kan.
No visitation is planned at the funeral home; friends may gather prior to the graveside services to sign the register book or leave memorials.
Memorials are suggested to the Robert E. Watson Memorial (to be determined later).
Online condolences at www.bachelor-surber.com
Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, Kan., is in charge of the arrangements.