Richard Lee Watson

Rich was born in Chicago, Il, the eldest son of Garrett Lee Watson and Marie (Simonetta) Watson. He attended Purdue University where he met his wife, Toni Rentschler. They were married in May 1968 and have 3 daughters. Rich was employed by Motorola in Chicago and Plantation, Fl where his group developed the first cell phones and he earned his Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering. He moved to Oregon in 1978 as IT Manager of Research at Floating Point Systems where they developed the first of the super computers. During the 1980s he and Peter Fornara produced plays in Portland at their Sirius Theater. He spent over 20 years as the computer support person in Research at Portland Shriners Hospital for Children where he met and befriended a wonderful Mason who wanted to learn about computers and then led Rich into his Masonic life. He spent many years active in the different Masonic groups, serving as Master of Kenton Lodge#145 and Research Lodge N# 198, and various other offices. His greatest joy, other than cooking and camping, was his involvement with the Masonic youth groups – the Job’s Daughters and Rainbow girls and the Demolay boys . He helped start the Demolay group at Kenton Masonic Lodge, and also helped get a Demolay group going at Tigard Lodge #207. He encouraged both his grandchildren to be involved with the youth groups, and helped his son-in-law join the Masons at Tigard Lodge. Rich is survived by his wife of 45 years, Toni, daughters Jennifer Thornburgh (Craig) , Laura Rech (Michael ), and Karen Larkin (Greg), 2 grandchildren, Ryan and Katie Thornburgh, brother Gary Watson and sister Carol Randall. He was preceded in death by his parents. There will be a Masonic Memorial Service on the 13th of July at noon at the Kenton/Friendship Masonic Lodge in Kenton. In lieu of flowers, his family encourages you to contribute to the Richard Watson Oregon Youth Fund, to help our youth attain their choice of higher education.