Richard Lee “Dick” Watkins, 84, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away on February 28, 2026.
Born September 29, 1941, in Saint Joseph, Missouri, to Wilson Gregory Watkins and Clydene Watkins, Dick was a proud Missourian whose life was defined by devotion to family, hard work, and loyalty.
He graduated from North Kansas City High School in 1959, where he met Anne Parker. They married and shared nearly 66 years together, building a life centered on family and hospitality in the many cities his career took them, including St. Louis, Topeka, Lexington, Atlanta, Dallas, and ultimately back to Kansas City.
A graduate of Southwest Missouri State University and a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon, Dick joined IBM in 1964 and rose through leadership roles during a distinguished career. Later, he helped launch a Kodak Regional Sales office in Dallas and eventually returned to Kansas City, where he served as CEO of CSU until its closing in 1999.
Dick was tough yet tender. He believed in hard work, responsibility, and accountability, and quietly modeled those values for his family.
While he enjoyed professional success, his greatest pride was his family. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who rarely missed a game, match, or activity. He loved duck hunting at sunrise, fishing, Missouri Tigers football, Kansas City barbecue, and gathering around a good steak dinner with friends and family.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife, Anne Parker Watkins; his children, Greg Watkins (Kathy) of Leawood, Kansas; Doug Watkins (Leigh) of Leawood, Kansas; and Heather Echemendia (Otto) of Dunwoody, Georgia; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and his brother, Tom Watkins of Columbia, Missouri.
A service to celebrate his life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made in his memory to The Nick & Jake’s Fore the Kids Canine Therapy Endowment at Children’s Mercy https://bit.ly/dickwatkins
Dick’s life was marked by steady strength, deep love, and unwavering commitment to those closest to him
