The funeral for Rodney "Rod" R. Watson will be at 11:00am, Thursday, October 14, 2010 at Peace United Church of Christ, 1503 2 ^nd Ave NE, Rochester with Pastor Paul Bauch officiating.  Burial will be at Grandview Memorial Gardens at a later date.  Visitation will be held from 4:00PM – 8:00PM on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 at Macken Funeral Home, 1105 12 ^th Street SE, Rochester and one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the church.

Mr. Watson, 73, of Rochester passed away on October 9, 2010 at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester.

Rod was born July 4, 1937 in Rochester to William H. Watson and Anna C. Holt Watson.  He graduated in 1956 from Rochester High School.  He married Carol Ann Newell in 1957.  They later divorced, she still survives.  He started a waste removal business called A-1 Sanitation which later he divided with his two brothers, Stanley and William Watson.  He founded Watson Recycling of Rochester in the early 1980's which was later purchased by his son Glen Watson.  He also founded Watson Roll-Off in the late 1980's and that was recently sold to his son and grandsons.

Survivors include 3 sons; Glen (Julie) Watson of Byron, Dean Watson of Rochester and Chad (Amanda) Watson of Frazee, MN; 1 daughter, Dawn (Brad) Guenther of Rochester; 20 grand-children, 10 great grand-children and his long-time companion, Carolee Ackman of Rochester; 2 sisters, Grace Rueb of Rochester and Elsie (Kenneth) Weaver of Rochester.

He enjoyed spending time with family and friends.  He also spent time taking long rides, enjoying the scenery and visiting people along the way.  His greatest love was watching his children and grand-children succeed in life.  He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

The blue Chevy sits at the Gates of Heaven – "Honk, Honk, let me in I miss my driver."

Macken Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.  On-line condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.