Watkinson, Richard 'Dick' E.

Richard “Dick” E. Watkinson, 82, of Cedar Rapids, died Friday June 15, 2012, at St. Luke's Hospital. Services: 10 a.m. Tuesday at Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel, where friends may call on Monday from 4 to 7 p.m. Burial: Oakland Cemetery, Iowa City. The Rev. Bob Voels will officiate.

He was born Nov. 24, 1930, to Everett and Grace Watkinson. He was united in marriage to Colleen Benell of Lone Tree on Jan. 17, 1951. Colleen died in November 1974. He then married Donella Brady on Sept. 20, 1980.

Survivors include his wife, Donella of Cedar Rapids; his son, Dennis (Pat) of Lone Tree; stepdaughter, Debra Biaha of North English; granddaughter, Kim (Travis) Swenson, and great-grandchildren, Isabelle and Jack, of Northglenn, Colo.; grandson, Turner Watkinson of Lone Tree; stepgranddaughter, Deidre McVay; great-grandchild, Shyanne; brother, Ed Watkinson of Cedar Rapids; and stepsisters, Carol Davidson of Cedar Rapids, Katherine Branch of San Bernadeno, Calif., and Dorothy Aistrop of Phoenix, Ariz.

Dick was drafted into the Army on June 14, 1951. He was trained as a tank driver and stationed in Germany in October 1951. He received an honorable discharge as a corporal in June 1953. He was employed by Borden's Ice Cream for 37 years and retired from The Eastern Iowa Airport after almost two years.

For many years he enjoyed bowling. Dick and Donella enjoyed camping in their Airstream and were members of the Airstream Club. He was well known for his cooking skills and could make a great pie.

Dick was preceded in death by his wife, Colleen; parents; stepmother, Mabel; stepdaughter, Deanna Kutin; and sister-in-law, Wanita.

Memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church.

Published June 17, 2012 in The Gazette