Robert Watson

Capt. Robert M.�Bob� Watson, USN retired, 80, of Punta Gorda passed away Tuesday, August 10, 2010 at Charlotte Regional Hospital after a short illness. He was the son of Dewey and Rada Watson, born December 10, 1929, Twin Falls, Idaho. Bob enlisted in the Navy in 1948 and won a fleet appointment to the Naval Academy, Class of 1954. Upon receiving a fleet appointment to the Naval Academy, he attended NAPS before entering the Academy, 19th company. Bob was a stalwart on the varsity soccer team. The day after graduation he married his �one and only�, Diane MacIntyre of Baltimore, MD. Bob was designated a Naval Aviator in 1955 and made deployments in both photo and fighter squadrons, including a tour in Vietnam in F8 Crusaders. Bob attended the Naval Postgraduate School receiving a BS in Aeronautical Engineering, and then went to the Stanford University where he earned the Engineers Degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics. He became an AEDO and spent 3 years Pt. Mugu as Project Officer for Sidewinder and Sparrow missiles, and as F4J BIS trials manager. This was followed by tours as Avionics Officer, Air Pac Staff, XO Naval Air Rework Facility (NARF) Pensacola and then to the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) as Weapon Systems manager F-14 program. Bob then commanded the Naval Electronics Test and Evaluation Facility followed by assignment as the Commanding Officer, NARF Alameda. He then returned to NAVAIR as Executive Director for Acquisition. Upon retirement from the navy in 1980, he went to work for Martin-Marietta, retiring from there in 1993 as Director of Manufacturing for Titan Launch Vehicles. Bob and Diane lived in Colorado and traveled extensively in their motorhome until they found the perfect stopping point, Punta Gorda, FL. Bob was active in the S.M.A.R.T. Travel Club, Meals on Wheels, enjoyed golf and skiing and was elected President of the local Military Officers Association of American (MOAA) in 2009. Bob will be greatly missed by his wife of 56 years, Diane; daughters, Leslie (John) Leake and Kate (Ermanno) Simonutti; son, Jim (Patty) Watson and 4 grandchildren. A memorial mass will be at 11:00 am, Wednesday, August 25, 2010 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Inurnment will be at Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Wounded Warriors Association. To express condolences to the family, please sign the online guest book.