Obituary for Robert "Dancing Bobby" Watson
Robert “Dancing Bobby” Watson was released from his long battle with Alzheimer's Disease on March 19, 2023. Bobby danced into this world on April 25, 1943, the first born child of Mary Jane and Maurice Carlisle Watson.
After growing up in Louisville and helping “Big Daddy” at his father’s service station in the Highlands, Bobby attended college at Indiana University and Western Kentucky University earning a degree in accounting. After a brief stint working in San Francisco at an accounting firm, he realized that the rigidity of a desk job was not for him. Returning to school and earning his Masters in Teaching from the University of Louisville, Bobby became a math and accounting teacher at Butler High School. Bobby taught and coached tennis (one of his many loves) at Butler for many years.
In 1973, Robert Watson married Paula Battcher. During their marriage of 25 years, they became the parents of two girls, Jessica and Jennifer. While the union did not last, his vivacious personality endeared him to the whole of the Battcher clan, with whom he shared a love of music and for his two grandchildren for many years to come.
Bobby’s love of music and dancing shaped and defined much of his life. He hosted an annual “Dance or Die” party, where he invited many local musicians to participate, most notably his dear friend, Tim Krekel. Not only did Bobby organize these events, but also sat in with many of the acts playing tenor saxophone. In retirement, Bobby took up saxophone and made every opportunity to sit in with local bands from Gulf Port, Florida to Rockport, Maine.
Bobby found love again in Tina Daniels, his life partner and then caretaker as his disease progressed. They shared many happy years together creating memories with his “bonus family,” Tina and her children and grandchildren. Their special bond lasted until the very end.
Bobby was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Jane and Maurice Carlisle Watson; his brother, John Watson; and sister, Mary Pierson; as well as his “brothers in life,” Tim Krekel, Otis Franklin, Scotty Perrow and Abbott Vaughn Meader.
Bobby is survived by his partner, Tina Daniels, children Jessica Burckle (Paul) and Jennifer Watson; grandchildren, Robyn Burckle and Beck Burckle; his siblings, Susanne Lile, Maurice Carlisle III “MC” Watson (Susan), Tommy Watson (Linda), Craig Watson, Jimmy Watson (Theresa); and his bonus family, Tyrone Daniels (Shannon), and their children, Ivan, Sebastian, Zoe and Haven; as well as TaNesha Bryant (Troy) and their children, Averi, Katoni and Melody Grace.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Mindy Carter, one of his caretakers who stood by his side.
Bobby lived a full life, always finding joy in family and friends, and loving everyone fiercely.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, The Trevor Project or Louisville Youth Group.
A visitation will be held at Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Road, on March 29th from 4:00-8:00. The service will be held at Highlands on March 30th at 2:00pm, with a celebration of life following the service. The location to be announced at service.
After growing up in Louisville and helping “Big Daddy” at his father’s service station in the Highlands, Bobby attended college at Indiana University and Western Kentucky University earning a degree in accounting. After a brief stint working in San Francisco at an accounting firm, he realized that the rigidity of a desk job was not for him. Returning to school and earning his Masters in Teaching from the University of Louisville, Bobby became a math and accounting teacher at Butler High School. Bobby taught and coached tennis (one of his many loves) at Butler for many years.
In 1973, Robert Watson married Paula Battcher. During their marriage of 25 years, they became the parents of two girls, Jessica and Jennifer. While the union did not last, his vivacious personality endeared him to the whole of the Battcher clan, with whom he shared a love of music and for his two grandchildren for many years to come.
Bobby’s love of music and dancing shaped and defined much of his life. He hosted an annual “Dance or Die” party, where he invited many local musicians to participate, most notably his dear friend, Tim Krekel. Not only did Bobby organize these events, but also sat in with many of the acts playing tenor saxophone. In retirement, Bobby took up saxophone and made every opportunity to sit in with local bands from Gulf Port, Florida to Rockport, Maine.
Bobby found love again in Tina Daniels, his life partner and then caretaker as his disease progressed. They shared many happy years together creating memories with his “bonus family,” Tina and her children and grandchildren. Their special bond lasted until the very end.
Bobby was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Jane and Maurice Carlisle Watson; his brother, John Watson; and sister, Mary Pierson; as well as his “brothers in life,” Tim Krekel, Otis Franklin, Scotty Perrow and Abbott Vaughn Meader.
Bobby is survived by his partner, Tina Daniels, children Jessica Burckle (Paul) and Jennifer Watson; grandchildren, Robyn Burckle and Beck Burckle; his siblings, Susanne Lile, Maurice Carlisle III “MC” Watson (Susan), Tommy Watson (Linda), Craig Watson, Jimmy Watson (Theresa); and his bonus family, Tyrone Daniels (Shannon), and their children, Ivan, Sebastian, Zoe and Haven; as well as TaNesha Bryant (Troy) and their children, Averi, Katoni and Melody Grace.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Mindy Carter, one of his caretakers who stood by his side.
Bobby lived a full life, always finding joy in family and friends, and loving everyone fiercely.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, The Trevor Project or Louisville Youth Group.
A visitation will be held at Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Road, on March 29th from 4:00-8:00. The service will be held at Highlands on March 30th at 2:00pm, with a celebration of life following the service. The location to be announced at service.