Russell Ward Watson

Russell Ward Watson, age 82, ofWichita, died July 20, 2013. The son ofElvira and Robert H. Watson, Sr., he graduated from Wichita High School East,going on to earn a Bachelors degree with Honors from Wichita State Universityand a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Syracuse University. Mr.Watson joined Cessna Aircraft in 1959, retiring after more than forty years ofservice. During his years at Cessna hewas responsible for the Air Education Program, which promoted aviationeducation and the Cessna Pilot Centers. He was also the recipient of numeroushonors including the Brewer Trophy, the nations highest award in aerospaceeducation. The trophy resides onpermanent display in the National Air and Space Museum of the SmithsonianInstitution in Washington, D.C. He was alongtime member of Eastminster Presbyterian Church. He was preceded in death by hisparents and brother, Robert H. Watson, Jr.In 1965 he married Lolita (Dee-Dee)Shelton who survives him. Also survivingare a daughter, Brijin Kate Harvey of Colorado Springs, CO; grandsons, RobertWatson Harvey and Scott Bradley Harvey of Colorado Springs, CO; sister, MaryFrances Watson Carson of Carlisle, PA; nieces, Barbara Anne Vandeventer (Jared)of Wichita and Libby Hockensmith of Carlisle, PA; nephews, Robert CharlesWatson of Memphis, TN and Stephen James Carson (Lori) of Carlisle, PA; andsister-in-law, Linda Watson of Wichita. Visitation will be held at the C.Z.Boyer & Son Funeral Home in Desloge, Wednesday, July 31, 2013 beginning at12:30 PM and lasting until the funeral procession leaves for the gravesideservice at 2:00 PM at the Odd Fellows Cemetery, Park Hills. Memorial donationsmay be made to the Boy Scouts of America for use in their scouting aviationprograms (Boy Scouts of America National Council, PO Box 152079, Irving, TX75015-2079).