Robert "Bob" Glenn Watts, Sr.

Robert “Bob” Glenn Watts, 90, of Henrico, VA, went to be with his Lord and Savior on November 10, 2023, at The Haven Assisted Living Home in Hanover County. We say with love, confidence and pride that Heaven got a little stronger that day. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Stella Watts; brothers, Jack Watts and James Watts; and his first wife, Doris Juanita Slaughter Watts. He is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Sara Childrey Watts; his daughters, Cynthia W. Waller and Kelly W. King (Scott), his son, Robert G. Watts, Jr. (Shannon), his step-sons, Eric Alexander and Matthew R. Alexander (Emma); his much-loved grandchildren (for whom he was their “Paw Paw”), Brock Waller (Ashley), Robert Watts III (Lauren), Blake, Davis and Molly King; Annalisa, Jessica, Benjamin and Elliott Alexander; as well as by his three great-grandchildren, Wyatt and Weston Watts and Camdyn Waller. Born in Norton, Virginia, on April 28, 1933, the family moved to Richmond, with Bob attending Glen Allen High School and later graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School, serving in the T.J. Core of Cadets. He would say he graduated with “honors” . . . the honor of accumulating the most demerits and being voted “Least Likely to Succeed.” He worked for Federal Mogul Company out of high school and then enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served with pride in the European Theatre on the USS Northampton. His years of service for our country are years that he always held with pride and a deep fondness. While stationed at the Naval Air Station in Norfolk, he married Richmonder, Doris Slaughter, and together they formed a home and family in Richmond, raised three very blessed children, while teaching the values of responsibility, hard work, fairness, spiritual faith, building lifelong friendships, and serving your community. He subsequently parlayed his high school “honors” and successful naval service to somehow talk his way into The University of Richmond and become one of the oldest, yet proudest, members of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. We salute all of Bob’s fraternity brothers, as well as The University of Richmond, for his cherished lifelong memories and the amazing friendships that were bonded during this special time in his life. Another “family” which we would like to salute is that of all of his wonderful A.H. Robins co-workers. Bob spent 32 amazing years with the A.H. Robins Pharmaceutical Company, beginning as a keypunch operator and ultimately retiring as the Senior Executive Vice President. His time with the company and his teammates shaped his life. During this time, Bob married Sara Childrey Alexander, shared his life lessons with her sons, and together they helped the family grow and prosper, while enjoying another lifetime of experiences, family gatherings, worldly travel and all that they meant to one another. Bob’s activities and service outside of work are too many to list, yet he loved music, loved to dance, as well as playing volleyball, softball with A.H. Robins, bridge, poker and parlor games, along with cheering on his Richmond Spider sports teams. He taught Sunday school at Third Presbyterian Church and later was a dependable and active member of Christ Church Episcopal involved in several ministries, volunteered with the local Boy Scouts, was a member of many local community service clubs, served as Chairman of the Richmond Metro Chamber of Commerce, Founding Director of Fidelity Federal Savings Bank and Vice Chairman of their Board, as well as a Director with BB&T Virginia. He helped to fund and build The Glen Allen Cultural Arts Center, and partnered with other city leaders to transition Parker Field to The Diamond. Bob was referred to by many as “The Father of the Virginia Lottery.” He also made time to teach for three years at The University of Richmond Graduate School of Business, striving to prepare his students for the world outside of school. In sum, he will be missed as a father, grandfather, husband, friend, leader, educator, teammate, and true representative of our country’s “Greatest Generation.” Godspeed Bob Watts. Heaven did just indeed get a little stronger. The family would like to thank the caring staffs at Our Lady of Hope, The Haven and Trinity Hospice for being there for Bob and our family. In lieu of flowers, we invite you to join us at a memorial service at Christ Church Episcopal, 5000 Pouncey Tract Road, Glen Allen, VA., 23059, on Tuesday, November 28th at Noon, immediately followed by a “Celebration of Life” gathering at the church.