Paul C. Watt

Paul C. Watt Jan. 26, 1925~June 25, 2009 Resident of Pleasant Hill Paul was born in St. Louis, Missouri and grew up in Marissa, Illinois. He joined the U.A. Army Air Corps in 1944. He served with distinction as a pilot and was discharged following World War II. Paul then returned to his studies at the University of Illinois and earned his B.A. in Landscape Architecture. During his university years, he met the love of his life, Grace Welsh and they married in 1948 in Champaign, Illinois. Paul pursued a career in urban and transportation planning and initially worked for the firm of Harland Bartholemew and Associates in St. Louis. He later advanced within the firm and served in their office in Washington, D.C. He then became Planning Director of Dade County, in Miami, Florida. Paul then moved his young family to New York and became Executive Director of the Tri-State Transportation Commission, which coordinated all of the transportation planning for New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Paul then moved the family west and became Executive Director of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission in Berkeley, California. After a brief retirement, he became the Community Planning Director of the City of Pleasant Hill, California. He retired for good in 1991 and enjoyed his retirement years with Grace on the golf course at Contra Costa Country Club and at the casinos. Paul was an active member of the Rotary Club and enjoyed his many Rotary friends and activities. Paul passed away on June 25, 2009, after a short illness, v surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife of 61, years, Grace, and his children, David Watt of Huntington Beach, CA, Clarke Watt of Renton, WA and Peggy VanZuthpen of Hockinson, WA and his grandchildren, Chelsea, Jack, Paul, Evan, Chad and Jenna. There will be a memorial service for Paul at Contra Costa Country Club, on July 10, 2009 at 2pm.