Robert C. Watson
Ames, Iowa
It is hard to tell that Bob Watson isn’t an alumnus of Iowa State University. For 16 years he served the ISU Foundation to the highest professional and personal standards.
Watson’s first connection to Iowa State came as the Marine Officer Instructor in the Naval ROTC program in 1972, when he began a three-year tour as adjunct instructor in the Department of Naval Science. He retired from the Marine Corps in 1984 after serving 24 years including an assignment as secretary, Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Watson returned to Ames in 1984 to join the ISU Foundation as controller. He became the manager, and subsequently director, of planned giving a year later. He developed and implemented a new approach to fundraising that involved establishing a national network of distinguished alumni and friends to reach out to prospective donors. He was honored in 1993 by the ISU Foundation Board of Governors when he was presented the inaugural Governors’ Award for outstanding service and commitment to the Foundation.
When Watson retired in 2000 from the ISU Foundation he was the associate vice president and director of leadership gifts. During his tenure with the ISU Foundation, he was responsible for securing more than $91 million to benefit the University. Iowa State donors and members of the university community honored Watson and his wife, Jean, by creating the Robert and Jean Watson Endowed Advancement Education Program. Eight individuals have had the opportunity to gain professional skills and experience needed to embark on careers in development.
In retirement Watson continues to be active on campus, serving on a council in the Department of Agronomy that provides oversight to a major department endowment. He also serves as a member of the Cyclone Club Advisory Board. Watson has been an active community volunteer in Ames and is a member and past president of the Kiwanis Club of Ames.
Watson is a life member of the ISU Alumni Association and a member of the Order of the Knoll. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Atlantic Christian College (now Barton College) and a master’s degree from Central Michigan University.
Bob and Jean Watson live in Ames. They are the parents of four children: Robert Watson, Jr. (’82 industrial education), Kimberly Eberhard (’83 construction engineering), Carolyn Gill (’92 accounting), and Cynthia Swalla. The couple has nine grandchildren, four of whom are current Iowa State students.
