Richard "Rich"

W. Watson

St. Paul, MN — Richard "Rich" Wallace Watson, 66, of St. Paul, MN, died Monday, Oct. 13, 2025 in St. Paul, MN with his wife and dearest friends with him after courageous challenges from medical issues.

A circle of life service honoring Rich will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025 at Unity Church Unitarian in St. Paul, MN. The service will also be livestreamed at https://bit.ly/rwatsonmem

Donations may be made to the Alliance of Early Childhood Professionals doing business as Wicoie Nandagikendan.org, or donate in confidence through Charity Navigator https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/411794564 in Rich's name.

Richard was born in March 1959 in O'Neill, and resided for 42 years in St. Paul, MN. G

He graduated from O'Neill High School in 1977, remembered still by classmates for his portrayal of The Lion in the Wizard of Oz. 

After a career in banking providing senior customer service, Rich returned to school and graduated from CenterPoint Massage School in Minnesota in 2006 and opened Heart Life Massage, a respected rehabilitation massage practice, providing, in his words, “Massage for your body, mind and spirit so that you can follow your heart.” Rich was also a friend of Bill W's for 40 years. 

And we remember his love for all things furry.

Rich is survived by his wife of 36 years Pamela-Yates Watson of St. Paul, MN; step-mother Glenice Watson of O'Neill,; sister Nancy Watson (partner Gary White) of Fernandina Beach, FL; four step- brothers/sisters Mike (Marilyn) Johnson of Lincoln, Mark (Vicky) Johnson of Atkinson, Vanessa Johnson of Omaha and Lana (Rich) Petersen of Lyons; one uncle Sam Watson of Omaha; one aunt Caroline Langley of West Des Moines, Iowa; and other relatives including cousins, nieces, nephews and close family-friends in US, UK and Australia.  

He was preceded in death by his parents John C. and Betty Watson, his sister Ruth “Laia” Watson and brother John Robert Watson.