Robert Watkins Sr.

Robert D. Watkins Sr, 96, of Bettendorf, Iowa, formerly of Aledo and Chicago, Illinois died Friday, May 17, 2019 at Palmer Hills Retirement Residence in Bettendorf, Iowa. Mass of Christian Burial is 10:00 a.m. Friday, May 24, 2019 at Christ Church in Moline. Burial is in the National Cemetery, Rock Island Arsenal where graveside military services will be conducted. Visitation is one hour prior to services at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left to Shriners Hospital for Children. Fippinger Funeral Home in Aledo is in charge of arrangements and online condolences can be made at www.fippingerfuneralhome.com.

He was born August 5, 1922 in Chicago, Illinois to Charles and Isabelle Behrens Watkins. Bob graduated from Calumet High School in Chicago and attended Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa. He married Eudora L. Carr March 27, 1943 in St. Louis, Missouri. She died August 25, 2014.

Bob was a U.S. WW II veteran, serving in the Coast Guard Merchant Marines.

Bob and Eudora owned and operated the Watkins Flowers Inc. in Chicago and Evergreen Park, retiring in 1990.

He was a member of Christ Church in Moline, the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Aledo Kiwanis Club. Bob was a member of the Kaaba Shriners Legion of Honor and a former member and Worshipful Master of the Mizpah Lodge #768.

He enjoyed dancing, world traveling and being with his family.

Bob is survived by one daughter, Dr. Suzanne (Gunter) Klein of Seattle, WA; two sons, Dr. Thomas (Nancy) Watkins of Aledo and R. David (Lale) Watkins Jr. of Yorktown, Virginia; 9 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and three brothers.