Richard Watts Obituary

Richard rest in peace and I love u

Sorry to have only heard of you from tracing my family tree recently. I have read all of your families comments and you truly sound like a great man. I think you were my 1st cousin 2 x remove. Your Mother Alice was my great granddads sister! If anyone reading this is related in any way I would love to hear from you. Please get in contact. Thanks Adam Cleaver ([email protected])

To my dearest family and friends:

I feel blessed to have your loving condolences at this unbearable time. I can't put into words how much I love you all. I pray God will bless you and that you will know just how much I'm thankful to have you all in my life. How lucky I have been to have my wonderful husband and children and memories of our life together to see me through. God bless you all.
Betty

Dearest Betty, Alan, Steven, Richard and family.--There are absolutely no words to fully express my sorrow in the passing of your husband and father. I am comforted in knowing he and our dear Angela are together and both will remain in our hearts forever. Know that I love you very much, and hope to see all of you soon. Love and Blessings, Carla Kay - Redmond, Oregon

Thank you, everyone, for your wonderful sentiments for which Dad would be very well pleased. Although I have always been a science-minded skeptic concerning religious matters, I am becoming increasingly aware of something more, if only in the form of dream revelations. In short, I am somehow confident that Dad has seen and cherished every kind word you have taken the time to write in this tribute to his memory. Even as I am writing these words from the heart, I feel a guiding hand. Thank you all so very, very much.

Dear Betty,
Maureen and I were so saddened to learn of the loss of your wonderful husband. I can still hear his deep and commanding voice with fond memory and extend a great deal of thanks for all that you both shared, including your wonderful portrait and "down to the sea at Bristol".
Dr. and Mrs. Ben Richards

Dear Betty and Family we are saddened to hear of Dave's passing. My parents sure loved both of you very much. I always loved your visits to our Quarterdeck Way house where Dave was always on top of his humor. I loved the golf outings we did to Corral De tierra even though none of us could hit the ball (Maybe Steve was the best). I am happy we did get to visit you over at our house recently, we had a nice time. Betty, we are just around the corner, if there is anything we can help with please do not hesitate to ask. I'll never forget Dave's never ending smile!Love Rick & Joanie Rodewald

Dear Betty, we are very saddened to her about Dave. My parents truly loved you two (may they rest in peace). I enjoyed growing up and always had a laugh when you two would come down to Quarterdeck Way for a visit.

It was sure nice when you two came over to our house recently for a visit and to catch-up on the years. Betty if you need anything, we are just around the corner, so please do not hesitate to ask. We should all be pleased on what a long happy life Dave lived, I will always remember that great big smile Dave carried with him every minute of the day. God Bless you and your Family Betty. Love from Rick and Joanie Rodewald....

Very sad to hear of Mr.Watts passing.... He was a great guy, always made one laugh & one felt good every time i would run into him..(& Betty)... Both were great friends of my parents... He will be missed.... But he will carry on in heaven...

Dear Dad I miss you so much and think of you all the time. Ive read all the wonderful things said about you, and there all so true and I remember them all. When I said on your Birthday card you are the greatest man in the world I wasn't kidding you really are. I remember it was you who took me to my first ballgame at Candlestick park in SanFrancisco and we saw Willie Mays hit a homerun as well as Willie McCovey and all the heroes of the day. I remember walking through that tunnel and seeing that great big field, it was so magnificent to actually be there. I think it was Alan who once asked me what my greatest moment was because there were so many, I think I surprised him when I answered that it was a time that I pitched my last game we had won the game 10 to 0 I had pitched great. As we walked back to the car you put your arm around me and all was right with the world and that was the greatest moment in my life ever was ever been. I love you so much. I thankyou for all the wonderful times we spent together and will treasure them always. I promise to take care of Mom to the best of my ability until were together again paradise. Love4 You Son Steve

Dear Dad,

Alan's message to you on this memorial guest book covers all of our sentiments so well, not much more can be added except perhaps to add a few memories that I hold special in my heart.

First of all, thank you for naming me after you, even though we had to come up with the nickname of "Rick" to avoid any confusion when someone would ask for "Richard".

Thank you for those wonderful days of golf out at El Toro Golf Course. Those Saturday morning outings were some of the best times I've ever had. You remember; missing the ball, slicing the ball, hitting trees, hitting the ball into the lake, the cussing, throwing clubs...so much fun!

Thank you for the days of fishing on the bay, in those little rental boats off of Lovers Point in Pacific Grove. Of course it's not the actual catching of fish that holds the strongest memories, but the infallible sea sickness that would hit Steve, Alan and I every time. You, of course, as Uncle Mike refers to, would "take the mickey" and say to us as we puked over the side of the boat "that's it, feed the fish, feed the fish".

Lastly, thank you for passing along the love of and talent for playing music. I'm sure that brothers Alan and Stephen agree that those days of playing music together as a family created a very strong bond. The dozens of songs that you and I recorded, and all of the hours that we spent on those songs, adding drum tracks, then a bass track, more guitar and vocals, was something I will treasure forever. Even though most of the songs we did were from your era...ok...a little slow and boring for my taste....I still enjoyed the challenge, and the fact that I learned all of those older songs gave me a well rounded appreciation for all types of music.
We will have those recordings forever and so if you happen to run into Bing, tell him he was a great singer, but that you just might be able to give him a run for his money!

Cheerio for now Dad, thank you for being the best. Love always

Rick

Dear Dad,

This a "Letter of Commendation" for being the best dad. We mostly go through life never stopping to fully appreciate the people in our lives who mean the most to us. Especially those who; put up with us, cared for us, paid for us, dressed us, taught us, and on and on.

I know that I can speak for everyone as I recall the many, many wonderful times and happy memories that you, thanklessly, provided us all, over the years. Recording our little voices when we were children, bikes and electric guitars for Christmas, the wide range of music records, candy bars, hamburgers, malted milkshakes and pizza's, swimming, seeing Elvis, Disneyland, Lake Tahoe, coming all the way to Utah to see me...., going all the way to Connecticut to save Angela. These are just a few of those precious memories we all treasure.

There are no books that teach parenting and no one does it perfectly, it is certain, but the love you have given and the values you taught us by word and by example have served us, in our lives, very well, and in ways which will be carried on many generations.

We all know that you are a "Stiff upper lip" kind of man able to fend off most teary-eyed emotion, but we also know that, just beneath that analytical facade, there beats a heart yearning to explode with kindness, tenderness and generosity, and like Angela, an extaordinary passion to help others.

All of your family and friends have enormous love and profound respect for you. We are lucky to have you for our dad and are grateful for your caring for us for so long. You are, truly, a great man in all of our hearts and minds. You should be very proud of your life's work.

Whenever I've spoken about you to someone, I always started by saying; "My Dad's a Big Guy", and I always meant that I am most proud to be your son, and rightly so. I love you, Dad.... !

Alan

My grandad meant the world to me, and will always be in my heart until I am with him again. There are so many happy memories that make me smile that I will never ever forget. I love him so very much and I know he loves me. He is now with Angela...heathy and at peace. I am so lucky I had him in my life, he was such a great grandfather, I love you.....JJ

Hi Auntie Betty, We are really sorry to hear about Uncle David's passing. Not sure whether or not you remember us. We are Carole and Judy, daughters of Irene Watts.

I remember when we lived in England, my mother used to take us to your house and we played with your children. We lost our Mother very early in our lives, and we are so glad you had all that time with Uncle David.

My Mother used to say that Uncle David was her favourite cousin, and I know that she would welcome him into her arms. Please accept our deepest condolences.

Carole and Judy

Dear Betty and family.

I have only known David for a short while (since 2006) and I will treasure the memories of the times we shared on our visits to California, the early hours of the morning (my end) phone conversations, and the emails and letters.

One British trait David had in abundance was the ability to "take the mickey" and he was a master of it. A classic example is in the tribute by Angela's friend Patricia where she relates how he used to say their "rear ends were as big as the backside of a bus". There's not many people who could get away with that without causing offence. David was sharp as a tack, with a mischievous sense of humour. Only the day before he was taken ill I received a letter from David. It began "Dear Bro .... and, after the latest news from Pacific Grove and the inevitable "mickey taking" banter, it closed with "Cheerio for now".

David is now reunited with our father and, of course, with his beloved Angela and all the other members of the Watts family no longer with us.

We will miss David more than words can say. The world will certainly be a poorer place without him. Be assured though that he will live on in the hearts of those who love him.

Love to all family and friends who mourn the loss of this truly magnificent person.


"Cheerio for now" then Bro.

God Bless

Mike Fowler and family

Dear Betty and family,

David was the nearest thing to a brother to me, a lone child, Despite the thousands of miles that kept us apart we still managed to keep in close contact. Those words of wisdom; those jokes, both clean and risque, managed to cement that fragile link. David, you were a winner, liked and loved by everyone you met. We are going to miss you so much. There is no one to replace you - you come under the heading of UNIQUE!

Rest in peace big brother and enjoy your life beyond. May the Good Lord take you and welcome you into his heavenly kingdom - watch out for those jokes there!!

Alan Chater and family.

"Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just
round the corner .... all is well"

Canon Henry Scott-Holland

Dear Betty and cousins--Uncle Dave was such a wonderful person. He was loved by all who knew him and was legendary through all the extended Watts family throughout the world. I remember him as a great photographer, writer and humourist. He was a keen observer of the human condition and his witty letters were always looked forward to. Condolences from all the Canadian Watts to you all, we share in your loss. He lived a good long life and brought up a wonderful family, which is a great legacy.
I hope he's having a tipple with my dad & sister Shelley, and my Nan, somewhere, and laughing about some stars walking by!

To Dear Betty and family
We were so shocked to hear that Uncle Dave sadly passed away and are sending heartfelt love and blessing to you all.
Uncle Dave or Brad Pitt as I knew him, always made me feel so special. With such a quick witted humor and charm he always made me smile and feel happy inside . He loved Hawaii and called me his “Princess of the Islands” …..
How wonderful that you were able to live your Hawaiian dream with us ..you were like a couple of newlyweds on honeymoon! ….Do you remember those trips to Agnes Bakery and the Shave Ice place on Kailua Beach?
I have many happy memories of your vacation and will always treasure our time together…I hope that you can find comfort in those memories.
I know that Dave is now with your beloved Angela …perhaps sipping a Mai Tai and watching a sunset together …strolling along a white sandy beach
There will always be a special place in my heart for dear Uncle Dave and we are really going to miss him
With warm Aloha and Love to you all

Louise Tanswell and Gordon in Hawaii

Richard Davd Watts, was like my father. I've known his for the past 50 years. His daughter Angela and I were best friends for all these years. She passed away on her brother Alan's birthday some time ago. She is still in my heart and so will Dave be in my heart forever. I remember his teasing me and Angela, saying that our rear ends were as big as the backside of a bus. He was such a funny man. He always made me laugh. I know that Angela is reunited with her father now. She is in her Daddy's arms, cuddeling him and loving him again, like she always did. God Bless Both Angela and Dave. They are finally together again.

All my love,
Patricia Trunzo