Dr. John Wheaton Watjen

Dr. John W. Watjen of Greenville, DE passed away peacefully January 9, after a short illness, surrounded by family and friends. He was born May 31, 1930 in Barrington, RI, to Albert E. and Sarah C. Watjen. He received a BS in Organic Chemistry with Honors at Brown University, his MS in Chemical Engineering from University of Delaware and his doctorate in the same field at University of Virginia. He served his country in the Korean War and held a Reserve Commission in the Public Health Service afterward. He was employed in the Orchem Department at the DuPont Company until his retirement, after which he continued as a consultant. John is predeceased by his parents, his sister Alice W. Stottler of Waterville ME, and his brother Russell E. Watjen of Winston-Salem NC, and brothers Merrill and Lawrence Watjen. He is survived by his family, wife Carolyn T. Watjen, daughter Linda T. Watjen of Hockessin, DE. and son David W. Watjen of Greenville, DE, nieces and nephews, and his sister-in-law, Martha L. Teachey of Winston-Salem, NC. Of his many friends, he would want to remember Ron and Jean McLucas of Hockessin DE; Debi and Robert Butzbach, their children and grandchildren, of Bear DE; Trent Higgins of New Castle; and Carol and Bill Sadowski with whom we shared so many travel adventures. Last but not least, his cats and his dogs, who were so dear to him. John was a member of the Warren Baptist Church in Warren RI, and the Silverside Baptist Church in Wilmington DE. His faith was important to him. He was also a member and had held the office of Treasurer of the Keystone Region of the Rolls Royce Club of America. John had the sort of mind that found learning an endless fascination. He loved many things, including his profession, collecting stamps with his father, his gardens, the sea, genealogy, classical music, travel (visiting and photographing 96 countries around the world,) and his workshop in the rec room. Sports brought him great pleasure, from playing them in school to being an armchair coach during baseball and football games. He spent many hours in his library, and enjoyed his interests in history and science. He also loved his daughter's house. Above all he was a kind and caring man who often put the needs of others before his own. We want to thank 3rd Floor Medical ICU Unit at Christiana Hospital for their many kindnesses, especially Mike, Lindsay, Melissa and Katherine, as well as the Chaplain Services there. We also wish to thank the caring nurses and staff in B Wing at Regal Heights Health Care Center who came to love him. Friends may call at the CHANDLER FUNERAL HOME, 7230 Lancaster Pike in Hockessin DE on Wednesday January 15, 2014 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Services will be held at the funeral home on Thursday morning at 11:00 am. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests THE NEEDY FAMILY FUND at the News Journal, or the DE Humane Society, 701 A Street, Wilmington, DE 19801.