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Robert G. Watts Jr., 80, of McAlisterville, passed away at 6:08 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, at his residence surrounded by his family.
Born on Sept. 15, 1943, in Lewistown, Mifflin County, he is a son of Robert G. Sr. and Elizabeth J. (Jameson) Watts who preceded him in death.
On Aug. 11, 1968, he married his surviving wife, Trudy H. (Hackenberger) Watts with whom he was blessed to share more than 55 years of marriage before his passing.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Robert J. Watts and his wife Wendy of State College and Jonathan D. Watts and his wife Sarah of Reedsville; one grandson, Andrew Watts; and two brothers, Richard J. Watts and his wife Susan of McAlisterville and James E. Watts and his wife Barbara of Etters.
Mr. Watts was a 1961 graduate of East Juniata High School in Cocolamus and a 1966 graduate of Penn State University where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and was a fraternity member of Delta Theta Sigma.
After college, Bob was first employed with PennDot in the Traffic Safety Unit. After that, he transferred to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and retired with more than 35 years of service to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
His memberships included Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in McAlisterville where he taught Confirmation, sang in the church choir, attended Adult Sunday School, and participated in the Willing Workers. Bob was a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and a long time member of the Lost Creek Rod & Gun Club where he was a long standing officer of the club. He was an avid musician, sang in the Keystone Capital Chorus, and played trumpet in the Greenwood Community Band.
Bob was a proud member of the Boy Scouts of America, Eagle Scout, Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster who participated for over 70 years combined with Troop 65 in McAlisterville and Troop 233 in Dauphin. He was awarded many accolades over the years in scouting which include being Troop 65's first Eagle Scout, receiving the Lamb Award, and being selected for the very prestigious Silver Beaver Award. Additionally, he was a Vigil Honor Member of the Order of the Arrow. His love of and participation in the Scouts will be long remembered and greatly missed as he gave so much of himself to the Boy Scouts of America.
He also enjoyed bowling, singing in community choirs and barbershop quartets, playing baseball in his younger years, coaching his sons' baseball teams in little league, and also applying his engineering in designing the little league baseball fields in McAlisterville.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 at the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 420 Main St., McAlisterville with Pastor Karen Ward officiating. Interment will follow in Lost Creek Presbyterian Cemetery, McAlisterville.
A closed casket visitation will be held from 1:30 p.m. until the time of the funeral services at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mr. Watts' memory can be made to Boy Scout Troup 65, McAlisterville, Earl Davis, 2650 Free Spring Church Road, McAlisterville, PA 17049 or to the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 420 Main Street, McAlisterville, PA 17049.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Homes, Inc., 111 Westfall Street, McAlisterville.
Online condolences and tributes can be shared with the family at www.brownfuneralhomesinc.com.