Robert Hutton Watson

Robert Hutton Watson, 64, of New Hampton, NH and formerly of North Kingstown, RI died Friday, December 28, 2007. Born in Providence, RI on March 22, 1943, he was the son of the late Helen V. Pinney and John Marr Watson. He was the husband of Lana Watson. He is the father to Kimberly Hassan of Middletown and Robin Blake of Coventry, R.I., and step-father to Craig Hone of Amherst, N.H. and Mark Hone of Millbury, MA. He was the loving grandfather to Kyle, Amanda, Andrew, Alexander and Elizabeth. Besides his wife and children, he leaves a brother John Watson of Universal City, TX, a sister Virginia DeSimone of Attleboro, MA Bob was a graduate of Mount Pleasant High School. He graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a Bachelors of Science degree in Electrical Engineering in 1964. He subsequently earned a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Northeastern University and a Masters of Science in Management from the University of Colorado. He was a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers. Bob had a career of federal service spanning 33 years at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center. His NUWC career began in 1964. He was highly regarded by senior Navy military and civilian manager?s, and coworkers for his accomplishments and his systems engineering and management skills. Throughout his career he was a major contributor to various torpedo and Submarine Combat System programs and received numerous awards for his work. Before he retired he was a Branch Head in the Combat Systems Department. After retiring from federal service, Bob was employed by Anteon Corporation for 6 years. During retirement, Bob and his wife moved to Lake Waukewan in New Hampton, NH. The lake was very special and meaningful to Bob throughout his life. As a child, he spent summers at Pollard Shores with his parents, brother, and sister. He later vacationed there with his daughters, and then with their families and his grandchildren. Bob enjoyed boating on the lake; but what he enjoyed most was entertaining his family and friends and imparting his love of this special place. Bob maintained a remarkable quality of life throughout his 8 year battle with cancer. He and his wife traveled to Hawaii, Alaska, the Caribbean, Scotland and England. Most recently, they spent the winter months in Fort Myers, FL with longtime Rhode Island friends and new found friends in Florida.His funeral will be held on Wednesday, January 2, 2008 at 11:00 am in Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, RI. Burial will be private.Calling hours will be held Tuesday, January 1 from 4-7pm in the Memorial Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, Northern New England Region, 2 Commerce Drive, Suite 110, Bedford, NH, 03110.