Robert Lee Watt

Mr. Robert Lee Watt III passed away on March 29, 2012 after a long and courageous battle with brain cancer.The epitome of a true southern gentleman, he was known by friends and family for his kindness, empathy and compassion for others. Bob Lee was a Carolina Tar Heel through and through, attending as many games as possible, cheering them on to victory and loving every minute he spent in Chapel Hill. He wore his pride and love for his daughters on his sleeve, a love that was particularly apparent in the enthusiasm he showed while attending dance recitals and swim meets.A native of Reidsville, Bob Lee was born February 24, 1946 to Nancy Price Watt and Robert Lee Watt, Jr., who preceded him in death. He attended Reidsville schools, graduating from Reidsville High School. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Hampden Sydney College, where he made many lifelong friends as an active member and officer of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity.Bob Lee counted his three years in the Army among the proudest of his life. He graduated first in his OCS class, served as battery commander at Fort Knox, KY, and received an Army commendation medal for this position. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his tour of duty in Viet Nam. His love for all things military began when he was a Boy Scout, where he developed deep knowledge for and appreciation of the animals and birds on the east coast. There never seemed to be a tree in the woods he could not recognize by its bark or leaves. He spoke often with great fondness of his scouting days and being a committed member of the "Order of the Arrow.";In 1974, Bob Lee received a Juris Doctor degree with honors from the University of North Carolina, where he wrote for the North Carolina Law Review. Upon graduating he came to Reidsville and practiced law for 38 years at Holt and Watt. During the 1980s he was the School Board attorney for the Reidsville City Schools, where he thrived on the variety of the work and the mission of serving school children. He also served as president of the 17 A Judicial Bar Association.Bob Lee's home away from home was St. Thomas Episcopal Church, where he served as Senior Warden, church treasurer, and spent countless hours with the finance committee and working to establish an active long-range planning committee. He enjoyed being co-chair of the search committee and the every-member canvas committee. Bob Lee derived great joy from the church choir, with whom he sang his entire adult life. There was no part of St. Thomas or the Episcopal Church of the United States that did not interest or enliven him.More concerned about doing good than getting credit, Bob Lee was equally committed to a wide range of civic organizations. As a young man he was on the founding board of Big Brothers of Rockingham County. He also served on the board and enjoyed working with the JC's of Reidsville. For nearly a decade he was the treasurer of Pennrose Park Country Club. He enjoyed many years as a member of the Reidsville Rotary Club and became a Paul Harris Fellow. For many years he was a member of the board for the Reidsville Downtown Corporation.Mr. Watt was passionate about supporting Annie Penn Hospital, sitting on the hospital board, serving for a time as its chairman, and also as secretary-treasurer for the Annie Penn Community Trust, a responsibility he continued to take on after it became the Reidsville Area Foundation. For several years he was the chairman, taking great pride in the many life-improving grants the organization awarded to those in need. Survivors include his loving wife, Freda Drewry Watt; two daughters, Nancy Watt Marin and husband, Mark of Arlington, VA, and Elizabeth Watt Vannoy and husband, Brad of Grand Haven, MI; five grandchildren, Addison, Watt, and Alden Marin, and Anna and Charles Vannoy; brother William Price Watt and sister Anne Rogers and husband, Kris; and nephew Kris.A funeral service will be held at St. Thomas Episcopal Church on Sunday, April 1st at 3:00PM. Inurnment will follow in the columbarium following the service. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 at the home on Saturday, March 31st.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Thomas Episcopal Church, PO Box 72, Reidsville, NC 27320, Hospice of Rockingham County, P.O. Box 281, Wentworth, NC 27375, or a charity of the donors' choice.