Robert Martin WATKINS

WATKINS, Robert Martin
Age 77, died peacefully on Friday, Dec 10, 2010 with family & friends at his bedside. His 46-year struggle with diabetes & its complications did not prevent him from living a fulfilling life.
Bob (''Patch'' to his grandchildren, Luke & Halle) was born in 1933 in Palo Alto, CA to Perce & Vivian Watkins. Raised in San Mateo, he attended Junipero Serra High School. While attending UC Berkeley in 1956 he was drafted into the US Army & toured Europe as a rifle team member until 1958. In August 1960 he met Nancy in San Francisco, & they were married March 11, 1961. They had three children: twin girls, Brooks (who preceded him in death in 1967), Tracey (wife of David Wiltshire), & son Steven.
Bob worked for Chevron Chemical Co. for 32 years, retiring as a Buyer in 1992. Bob's family lived in Walnut Creek 37 years before he & his wife moved to Sun City Roseville in Dec 2005.
Bob was an easy-going guy who loved to play with his children, chat with friends, & listen to big band & jazz music, about which he was extremely knowledgeable. He was an excellent billiards player & liked word puzzles, bridge, & other card games. Somewhere along the way he learned to play the ukulele. He also enjoyed bike riding, tennis, & surprising his wife with flowers. As a retiree, he was a ''regular'' at his favorite hang-out, Ann's Sunshine Cafe in Pleasant Hill.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held Thursday, Dec 16, 2010 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Carmichael, CA, followed by an interment service at Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery in Lafayette, CA.
A celebration of Bob's life, memorial service & reception, will be held Tuesday, Dec 21, 2010 at 1:30pm. at Celtic Cross Presbyterian Church, 5839 Dewey Dr, Citrus Heights, CA.
The Watkins family thanks the staff of Eskaton Care Center Manzanita for their care & compassion, & Bonnie Baskin (Steven's significant other) for her generous support. Remembrances may be sent to the American Diabetes Association or a charity of the donor's choice.