Herbert Watson Obituary, Death – We learned of the death of Colonel Herbert Watson, 94, with deep regret. Colonel Watson’s vast legacy includes his years of military and civilian service and the affection of his family. Serving his nation for decades and fighting in two wars, and then giving back to his family and community, he left an indelible impression on the world. The second son of Herbert and Norma Watson, he was born in Ovid, New York.
Colonel Watson enlisted in the Navy in 1944 and served as a Machinist Mate in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters of World War II. After serving his country, Col. Watson went to New York State’s Willard State Hospital School of Nursing, from which he graduated in 1950. He joined the United States Air Force in 1956 after graduating with honors from the Nurse Anesthetist Program at Brooke Army Medical Center, continuing a family tradition of military service. Colonel Watson’s devoted wife of 66 years has passed away.
After learning that she had Alzheimer’s, he quit his job at VCU to devote himself to caring for her. His two daughters and their spouses are still living: Douglas and Valerie Caldwell Hill, of Richmond, and Karen and Philip Brown, of Urbanna. His grandkids include Richmonders Craig Caldwell, Brett Caldwell (and his wife, Rachael), and Greenville, South Carolina’s Jennifer Bissi (and her husband, Luke). Maddex and Watson Caldwell of Greenville, and Cole and Finn Bissi of Richmond, are his four great-grandchildren.