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Robert Thomas Watson Sr., 93

Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Robert Watson (“Poppie”) passed away early Labor Day morning, Sept. 2, 2019, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Robert Sr. is survived by his wife, Florence Watson of Post Falls, Idaho; his daughter, Judi Watson-Dibble-Jackson of Peyton, Colo.; and his son, Bob Watson of Post Falls, Idaho.

He also leaves behind several grandchildren including Jamee Rowley of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Chanse Watson of Post Falls, Idaho; Chris Dibble of Albuquerque, N.M.; and Kevin Dibble of Carrollton, Texas. He also leaves behind numerous great-grandchildren.

Watson Sr. was born on Aug. 2, 1926, in Chicago, Ill., to parents George N. Watson and Anna V. Watson.

Robert would serve in both the U.S. Army Air Forces and the U.S. Air Force over his military career. During that time, he was deployed across the globe and piloted some of the most advanced aircraft of the era. His duties lead him to be a veteran of World War II, The Korean War, The Vietnam War and The Cold War.

It was while he was stationed at Mountain Home Air Force Base that he met his wife of 69 years, Florence, originally of Harlan, Ky. They met each other in October of 1949 and were married on March 4, 1950.

Over the course of his service, he would fly 13 different aircraft — most notably the B-52 Stratofortress.

Following his retirement from the Air Force in 1969, Robert would then become a trooper with the Idaho State Police in 1974 and put in 10 years of dedicated service.

As per his wishes, no services will be held and his cremated remains will be interred in the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery in Boise, Idaho.