Sacramento, Calif. —
Dr. Robert Watson died July 23, 2012, as a result of injuries sustained in an auto accident in southern California. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Teri Watson. He leaves behind four children with former wife, Margo: Jeff, Mark, Steve and Susan Hancock; their spouses; 16 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Bob is also survived by his brother George Watson and his son Michael.
Bob was born in Galva, Iowa, on Aug. 31, 1935, to Arthur Watson and Florence Watson Baker, who predeceased him.
After graduating from Knoxville High School in 1953, Dr. Watson graduated from State University of Iowa in 1960 with a Doctor of Medicine degree. He was a board certified obstetrician and gynecologist in private practice from 1964 to 1997, the majority of those years in Sacramento, California.
Bob served in the United Air Force Medical Corps from 1966 to 1968 at Mather AFB, California where he was chief of the OB-Gyn Department. He was a clinical instructor at the University of California, Davis, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, from 1974 to 1976.
After retiring from private practice in 1997, Bob worked as a Medical Consultant for the California Department of Health Services, Licensing and Certification. He enjoyed the change of pace this new career offered him. He formed many close friendships with his State colleagues.
Bob retired from the Department of Health Services in 2004.
Music had always been a big part of Bob’s life. After his retirement, Bob pursued his love of jazz with gusto. He studied advanced piano jazz techniques at American River College and privately with Jim Jordan and, later, Ron Foggia.
As a result, he became well-known in the area as a top-notch jazz pianist, playing regularly in many venues and with many different bands. Bob especially enjoyed the weekly jazz jam sessions held at his home. Bob’s children and grandchildren inherited his musical talent and it brought him much joy to hear them perform.
Anyone interested in making a donation in Bob’s memory, may write a check to “ARC Jazz Band” and send it to: American River College, Dr. Dyne Eifertsen – Music, 4700 College Oak Drive, Sacramento, CA 95841.
A Celebration of Life was held in Dr. Watson’s honor on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012, at Del Paso Country Club, 3333 Marconi Avenue, Sacramento, California 95821. Private burial.
Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash
NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash
Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree
Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics
Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel?
Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot
Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction
Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind
Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting
