Obituary of Richard A. Watts

Richard A. Watts (75) former resident of Calder, ID passed away at the Schneidmiller Hospice House in Coeur d’ Alene, ID on November 22, 2018.  He was born to Myron and Mabel Watts on September 18, 1943 in Sandpoint, ID.  Richard grew up in Boardman, OR and graduated high school there with the class of 1962. 

Following high school, Richard attended Linx School of Business in Boise, ID where he obtained a degree in Computer Science.  He then attended Blue Mountain Community College and Eastern Oregon State.  In April 1969 he married Genevieve Birch in Seattle, WA and the couple later divorced in the 1980’s. 

Richard lived in Hayward, CA and worked in the computer industry.  He then moved to Tualatin, OR where he went to work for Electronic Data Systems and then ESCO Steel.  He retired from ESCO Steel in 1998 after 18 years of service. 

When Richard retired, he moved to Calder, ID.  He married his childhood friend and love of his life Eileen Gilbert in 2014 in St. Maries, ID.  Richard was an outdoorsman who loved fishing, hunting, and his 4-wheeler.  He also enjoyed woodworking.  He and Eileen moved to Post Falls, ID in October 2018 due to health reasons.

Richard is survived by his wife Eileen at the family home; sons Dorian Watts of Sherwood, OR, Shad Watts of St. Mary’s, KS, and Trent Watts of Denver, CO; daughter Tania Stachyra of IL; step-daughters Cassandra Gilbert of Post Falls, ID and Michelle Buchet of Redding, CA; brother Myron Watts of Sandpoint, ID; sisters Alice Ethridge of Spokane, WA, Elsie Monroe of Prosser, WA, and Donna Mack of Elk, WA; 25 grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.  He is preceded in death by his parents.

A graveside service will be held Thursday November 29, 2018 at 11:00 am at Woodlawn Cemetery in St. Maries, ID.