Richard Earl Watkins, Jr, 81, Moorhead MN passed away on March 8, 2021 after a 9 year battle with cancer. He was born in Missoula, MT to Richard and Martha Watkins on January 16, 1940. He attended Missoula High School, Montana State College and received a PHD in Plant Genetics from Colorado State University.
Richard worked 33 years for American Crystal Sugar Research in Rocky Ford, CO and Moorhead, MN. He developed the beet storage system and served on The Sugar Beet Research and Education Board of MN and ND.
Richard married Carolyn Schrock on August 28, 1970 at Rocky Ford Mennonite Church, Rocky Ford, CO. They celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in August 2020.
They have two sons, James, Wichita, KS and Jonathan (Lisa) Moorhead, MN. They have four special grandchildren, Jenna, Kira, Teige and Dilan. He has a brother Harold (Susan) Watkins and sister, MaryAnn (Allen) Remington.
Richard had a great love of God, nature and animals. He had many hobbies, tinkering (fixing anything broken), researching, reading, gardening, raising amaryllis, Gerber daisies, and monarch butterflies. His greatest love was fishing and teaching his grandchildren how to fish.
His faith in God was important. He served in the church in many capacities.
Memorial gifts may be given to Hospice of the Red River Valley and Mennonite Central Committee.
A private family memorial service will be held on Wednesday, March 17 at 2 PM. The service will be livestreamed for anyone to join at www.korsmofuneralservice.com. A celebration of life event will be held at a later date.
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