David Hugh Watkinson
November 8, 1937 – September 11, 2023
David Hugh Watkinson passed away on September 11, 2023 in his 86th year in Ottawa, Ontario after many years with dementia. Dave was happily married for almost 50 years until his wife Barb (nee Branson) passed away. He was a caring and loving father of Karen Curtis (John), David Watkinson (Lee), Geordie Stover (Kevin) and Judy Paron (Mike) and grandfather of Morgan, Kelsey, Andy, Avery, Jake, Garrett and Dylan. Dave was fortunate to find love a second time with his partner Willi Watters.
Dave was born in Fort William, now Thunder Bay, Ontario. He was the eldest son of George and Isabel Watkinson and brother to Paul, Terry, Jim, Tom and Jane. While growing up, his parents instilled in him a love for science, music and team sports. Every summer the entire family packed into a single car to head to their camp on Lake Shebandowan. In his teenage years, he worked on the Great Lakes passenger liner SS Keewatin as a bell boy and a waiter.
David “Dave” H. Watkinson, Ph.D., Penn State University (1965) Carleton University, Department of Geology Chairman (1982-1983), Department of Earth Sciences Chairman (1993-1996), Department Faculty Member (1970-2005). Specialization: Economic Geology, Mineral Deposits
He left home to attend McMaster University where he obtained his undergraduate and Masters degrees in geology, played Marlin hockey and met his wife, Barb. At Penn State, Dave finished his PhD and then returned to Canada to work at The University of Toronto as an assistant professor. He finally settled in Kanata working at Carleton University as a professor and chairman of the Earth Sciences department and raised his family of four. Many special friendships began during his sabbaticals in France, his work in the former Czechoslovakia and in the graduate studies program. His work took him around the world from New Caledonia to Tanzania to remote communities in Northern Ontario.
His passions were sports and music. He enjoyed playing golf at the Kanata Golf Club where he got his one and only hole in one. Two eight enders were his claim to fame in curling. He could play the piano by ear and had kids and grandkids alike running around to the music as his fingers raced on the keys.
In his final days, he was surrounded by his partner Willi and his children whom he adored and who adored him.
For those wishing, In Memoriam donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society.
Obituary: https://www.arbormemorial.ca/kelly-kanata/obituaries/david-hugh-watkinson/109271
Tuesday, September 19, 2023 in General
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