Robert Watson Dingwall

Robert Watson Dingwall, 87, joined his ancestors on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at Cookeville Regional Medical Center in Cookeville, Tennessee.
He was born in Montclair, New Jersey on Thursday, March 26, 1936, to his parents, the late Archibald and Alice (Turner) Dingwall Hughes.
He is survived by his sweetheart of 70 years and wife of 67 years, Mary McLester Dingwall; his son, Gregory (Eva) Dingwall; Daughter-In-Law, Dr. Claudia Zraly; Five Grandchildren: Michael (Wanda) Dingwall, Christopher (Samantha) Dingwall, Sarah Dingwall, Dr. Caitlin Dingwall (Dr. Michael Fitzpatrick), and Lauren Dingwall; Seven great-grandchildren: Kael, Robert Grant, Lucas, Alivia, Isaac, and Rylie Dingwall, and Andrew Fitzpatrick; Step-sisters, Joan Dickerson (FL) and Helen Galus (Gainesboro, FL), along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In addition to his parents, Robert was preceded in death by, Step-father, Harry Hughes, his brother, Walter M. Dingwall (FL), and his son, Dr. Andrew Keith Dingwall (IL).
Robert graduated from Ft.. Lauderdale High School (FL) in 1954, married Mary McLester Dingwall on December 28, 1956, and then graduated with a Bachelor's degree from Duke University in 1958. He served in the United States Army from 1958 to 1961. After being honorably discharged, he attended Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida, receiving a Master of Education in 1967 and the University of Northern Colorado in Greely in 1976 graduating with a Doctorate of Education. He began his career in vocational rehabilitation counseling in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, later becoming the Director of Vocational Rehabilitation for the State of Wyoming in Cheyenne. After early retirement, he and Mary moved to Hot Springs, Arkansas, establishing a tutoring service and private school, The Arkademy, until 2012, when they moved to the Sparta - Cookeville, Tennessee area to be near family.
He and Mary enjoyed traveling including camping with their sons, trips to Europe with Mary's students, and many travels in their motor home to 49 states and most of Canada. He also loved to work with his hands and honed his skills as a carpenter and builder using them to build at two homes, a barn, and to remodel numerous homes and their business in Hot Springs. He passed those skills down to four generations of Dingwall children, continuing his legacy in so many ways. He loved many and they loved him.
Robert had chosen cremation, the family followed his wishes, and interment will be in a Veteran's Cemetery at a later date.
To sign the online guestbook and to send the family a message please visit www.crestlawnmemorial.com
Arrangements entrusted to Crest Lawn Funeral Home - Cremation Center.