Obituary of Robert L Prince

Dr. Robert L. Prince, Jr. was born on July 22, 1930, in Dallas, Texas, at Pinkston Clinic on Thomas Avenue at Hall Street. He was a true descendant of Old North Dallas-Freedman’s Town and referred to himself as a Depression Baby. He passed away peacefully on October 16, 2019. Robert graduated from Darrell Elementary School as valedictorian in 1943; and in 1946, he graduated from Booker T. Washington (Arts Magnet) High School with honors. Robert was the son of Robert and Morita Williams Prince. His great-grandparents had been emancipated from a Bear Creek Plantation near Irving, TX, after June 19th, 1865. They lived until after his birth. The stories that he heard from relatives who had survived slavery, and the early days of Reconstruction in Dallas, enhanced his interest in Dallas’ history. In 1994, he wrote a book, “A History of Dallas from a Different Perspective”. Dr. Prince received the B.S. in chemistry from Wiley College, the M.S. in organic chemistry from Texas Southern University, and the Doctor of Medicine from Meharry Medical College. He did post graduate studies in biochemistry at the University of California at Berkeley, before his studies were interrupted by the Korean War. He was drafted into the United States Army, and chose to serve as an enlisted man. Robert served in North Korea with the 27th (Wolfhound) regiment of the 25th Div. He was awarded the combat infantryman’s badge and other citations. Dr. Prince began his medical practice in Dallas in 1964 where he joined the medical clinic of Drs. George Shelton and Emmett Conrad. In 1970, he became a partner in the OB & GYN Practice of Drs. Dudley Powell and Myron H. Watkins. He remained in an active practice of Obstetrics and Gynecology until 2000. His many awards include: Meharry Medical College President’s Award; Certificate of Appreciation, Dallas County Child Welfare Board; Greater Dallas Coalition for Reproductive Freedom; Medical Staff of St. Paul Medical Center; recognition by Phi Delta Kappa, Inc. as their African American speaker; Eclipse Magazine Award 2007 Healing Hands Award; The Lewis W. Mondy Award from the Texas Family Planning Association; and Griggs Park Award for preserving the African American History, the park’s namesake, Rev. A. R. Griggs, and the lifelong President of the McShann Estates Association. Dr. Prince was a fellow of the American Congress of Obstetrics & Gynecology, certified by the American Board of OB-GYN, and the first African-American inducted into the Texas Association of Ob-Gyn. He was a member of the staffs of St. Paul, Medical Arts and Presbyterian Hospitals. He was also a clinical professor of Ob-Gyn at The University of Texas Southwest. He was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society Alumni and The Morgagni Society (Pathology) at Meharry College. While at Meharry Medical College, he received the Lederle Award in pathology and was a member of the Morgagni Society. Dr. Prince served on numerous civic boards and volunteered his services to various Planned Parenthood clinics, while serving on the Board of Planned Parenthood. He was adamantly devoted to the protection of women’s reproductive rights. Dr. Prince was also committed to improving health in underserved and impoverished areas. He was the first African-American appointed to a Dallas County Board. Dr. Prince was a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and Sigma Pi Phi Boule’. His parents and sister, Dr. J. Elaine Lockley, preceded him in death. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Jimmie, and children, Robert Prince, III, Michael Prince, Marilyn Prince-Watts (David, Sr.), Yvonne Prince, and Daryl Dempsey (Donna); grandchildren, Jessica Watts, David Watts, Jr., Walter Watts, Kyla Prince, Sydney Watts, Corwin Dempsey, and David Dempsey; nephew Geoffrey Lockley; and, cousins Willie Rowen and Gregory Ford. The family request that in lieu of flowers, please send donations In memory of Dr. Prince to the African American Museum at Fair Park, 3536 Grand Avenue, Dallas, TX 75210.