Roland D 'Rollie' Watson, 73

Rollie was born Roland D. Watson on July 5, 1950, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to parents Harold E. Watson and Marie E. Watson. He passed away Jan. 6, 2024, at home.  

Rollie grew up in Post Falls, Idaho. He was an Eagle Scout in Post Falls, where he and his troop hand-carved a totem pole for the interests of Camp Easton. Rollie went to school in Post Falls until he moved to Rockford Bay with his family in 1964 and graduated from Cd'A High School in 1968. Rollie was active in his high school debate team. Rollie attended Flathead Valley Community College in 1971 and received an Associate's of Arts degree. Rollie entered the Army in April 1971, where he was an Army Specialist, 1st Brigade, as a Social Work Specialist. Rollie received his Bachelor of Arts at the University of Montana in 1976. Rollie was a Revolver Expert, Corporal, Detective and Sergeant in the Coeur d'Alene Police Department from 1978 to 1985. He continued his education at Gonzaga University, earning his Doctorate in Law in 1984. 

Rollie ran a private practice and was the City Attorney for the city of Rathdrum, Interim Public Defender for the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, Public Defender for Boundary County and Contract Public Defender for Kootenai County. During his career, he was licensed with the Idaho, Washington, Colorado, Montana, Washington, D.C., and Alaska Bar Associations.

An avid athlete, Rollie was a marathon runner and a walker and could often be found hiking Tubbs Hill. He used marathon running as a vehicle to raise money for the Boys and Girls Club.

His hobbies and interests included local indigenous history, riding his motorcycle, traveling, reading, gardening, competitive pistol shooting, playing the guitar, shooting his cannon, spending time with his friends, wiener dogs and his family. 

Survived by Morgan Watson, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Jadrian Watson and granddaughters MayLynn Hammon and Phoenix Hammon, Coeur d’Alene; brother Rocky and sister-in-law Mary Watson, Hayden, Idaho; the Herndon family, Lee Watson, Nathan and Deborah Sylvester, Oscar, Myers and Cora. 

Don’t worry Dad, we’ll put another log on the fire for you.