Robert Mearns Watt born April 9, 1930, in Los Angeles, Calif., and passed away at his home on June 1, 2026, in Coarsegold. Bob lived a long and meaningful life marked by hard work, strength of character and deep ties to friends and family.
Bob was a proud U.S. Army veteran. He convinced his mother to let him enlist at an early age, serving from 1946 to 1948. Later in life Bob was able to go on an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., along with his beloved grandson, Kevin, himself a Navy veteran. His time on this trip made memories that Bob cherished for the rest of his life and built a special bond with his grandson.
Bob grew up in the Southern California area with a staunch Scottish seafaring father. Bob developed his sea legs as a toddler which led to a lifelong passion for all things nautical.
He passed on his love of sailing and boating to his children, grandchildren and many friends. He enjoyed being the owner of many boats and made many voyages on the Pacific. Bob also took great pride in being a skipper of one of his favorite sail boats, Baruna.
Some of his most memorable times were trips back and forth to Hawaii, many voyages to Catalina Island and sailing along the coast as far north as Washington and Alaska and as far south as Mexico. At an early age he also participated in races to Ensenada with his father. These experiences led Bob to countless adventures and many meaningful friendships.
In addition to his boating life, Bob owned several businesses including his camper company Vagabondia. He and his first wife, Joan, and their three kids, went on many camping trips in those custom-built campers. When Bob wasn’t at work, he was scuba diving, swimming, water skiing, sailing, woodworking in his large shop or cheering on his kids at their swim meets and surfing events.
In the early 1980s he and his new wife Kandyce moved up north to Bass Lake where they started an RV boat storage and marine supply business. They would go on to build a beautiful home above Bass Lake. They both acquired their real estate licenses. Eventually they sold their home at Bass Lake and moved to Ahwahnee and finally to Coarsegold.
Those who knew Bob will remember a man of steady presence and enduring character, someone who met life with determination and earned the respect of those around him.
One of Bob’s final wishes was to be at home when he passed away. Local family members were incredibly helpful in making this happen, which was a great comfort to Bob. Bob’s faith in God brings comfort to those who loved him in that he is now celebrating in eternal peace with family and friends who were called home before him. His memory will live on in the lives he touched and in the legacy of hard work, faith and family pride he leaves behind.
He is survived by his wife, Kandyce Watt; his three children and their spouses: Dennis and Suzan Williamson, Daniel and Roberta Watt-Sichel and William Watt. Bob also leaves 11 grandchildren and their spouses; Frank and Christine Conti, Kevin and Blanca Ousey, Tyler and Alexandra Greathouse, Michelle Ousey and Jason Munk, Jesse and Erin Marquez, Mike and Beth Andrada, Cooper and Missy Watt, JD Williamson, Charissa Williamson, David and Tessa Williamson and Amanda Williamson. In addition, Bob had many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
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