Robert Albert Watts, M.D.

Robert Albert Watts, M.D. April 2, 1930 - January 1, 2025 Robert Albert Watts, M.D. passed away on January 1, 2025 at home surrounded by his loving family. Robert was born on April 2, 1930 in Dora, Alabama to Clark Watts, Sr. and Henrietta (Finch) Watts, who both preceded him in death. He was the second youngest child born to this union. On September 26, 1964, he married the love of his life Arvis V. (Allen) Watts, who survives in Washington, DC. As a teenager, Robert moved to Pittsburgh, PA, where he graduated from Schenley High School in 1949. After high school, he attended Tennessee State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree, Pre-Med track in 1953. While there, he was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Beta Omicron Chapter, on November 18, 1950. A firm believer in the power of education, Robert continued to pursue higher education at Howard University College of Medicine, where he obtained his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1957. From August 1958 - August 1960, Robert was a Lieutenant in the U.S. Naval Reserve, Medical Corps, where he served in Japan. He also served at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Philadelphia, PA, where he brought comfort and relief to many of the sick and injured of the armed services. When Robert was looking for a place to establish his private practice, he settled in Lima, Ohio and practiced Family Medicine there from 1961 until his retirement in 2003. For 42 years, Robert was the first African-American doctor in Lima that treated all races, and his patients included multiple generations within families. He was a part of the medical staff at Lima Memorial Hospital and St. Rita’s Medical Center. While in Lima, he was involved in the community and held leadership roles in many community-based organizations, including the Bradfield Community Center and Mizpah Community Center. After 60 years in Lima, Ohio, Robert and Arvis moved east to Washington, DC in 2021 to be closer to their children, Robert Aaron and Allison Ann. Robert joined St. Micheal’s Truth Church and worshiped there regularly. Robert enjoyed listening to classical music, classic Hollywood cinema, reading multiple newspapers and magazines, Sunday brunches, and traveling the U.S. and abroad with his wife and family. He will be missed by all that knew him in the Lima, Ohio and Washington, DC communities and we appreciate his time, dedication and sacrifices made. Robert is survived by his wife of 60 years, Arvis V. Watts of Washington, DC; son, Robert Aaron Watts of Washington, DC; and daughter, Allison Ann Watts of Washington, DC. Robert was preceded in death by his brothers, Benjamin Watts; David Watts; Clark Watts, Jr.; James Watts; Booker Watts; Ernest Watts; and Charles Watts and sisters, Marjorie Johnson; Dorothy Draper; and Evelyn White. Robert’s service will be on Thursday, January 16, with visitation from 10:00 am - 11:00 am and the funeral beginning at 11:00 am at St. Michael’s Truth Church/Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church (South Campus), 4915 St. Barnabas Rd., Temple Hills, MD. Rev. Emmanuel F.Y. Grantson, Ph.D., will officiate the service. Entombment to follow at Fort Lincoln Cemetery, 3401 Bladensburg Rd., Brentwood, MD. Repast immediately after back at the church. Memorial contributions may be made online to Tennessee State University Foundation in memory of Robert A. Watts c/o 1953 or via USPS to TSU Foundation, 3500 John A. Merritt Blvd., Campus Box 9542, Nashville, TN 37209.

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Robert Albert Watts, M.D.

April 2, 1930 - January 1, 2025