R. Duke Watson III

R. Duke WATSON III R. Duke Watson III expired on April 22 at 8:30 in the morning. He was born in Alton, Illinois on November 14, 1915, the elder son of R. Duke Watson, Jr. and Lucia Bowman Watson. When his father died, Duke was only eighteen months of age, and his only sibling, Edward M. Watson, was a baby of six weeks. Travel was a highlight of Duke's and Ed's childhood: winters in Florida including trips to the Caribbean, wonderful summer retreatsin the 'North Woods,' and visits to the national parks of the American and Canadian West, including Yellowstone, Banff, and Jasper. Several of these trips terminated in Vancouver or Seattle before the journey home by train, and Duke resolved at a young age to spend his adult life in the Pacific Northwest. Duke graduated from Western Military Academy in Illinois, and the University of Michigan, Class of 1937, where he studied forestry. True to his resolution, he headed west shortly thereafter, determined to make his career in the timber business. After three years of work that ranged from logging jobs to timber cruising, World War II abruptly intruded. In the course of events, he became one of the first members of the new regiment that would develop into the Army's Tenth Mountain Division. Combat in Italy ended for Duke when he was severely wounded by fragments of an artillery shell. After nearly six years of service he retired as a major. Second only to winning his beloved wife to be, his proudest moment was leading his battalion to the summit of Mt. Della Torracia, the division's final objective in the 'break through' of the Apennine Mountains Campaign. Upon retirement from service at Fort Lewis, Duke re-entered the timber industry. In 1948 came the greatest event of his life, his marriage to Marillyn Black, of Seattle. He became involved in the lumber wholesale trade, eventually establishing his own business. Duke's early avocations included skiing and mountain climbing. He was among the pioneers of North Cascades mountaineering, and a founder of the Crystal Mountain ski area. Northern wilderness canoeing consumed much of his mid and later life. Over several years, in the company of various friends, he traveled well over 20,000 miles by canoe, including a transcontinental journey from the Labrador Sea on the Atlantic coast to the Bering Sea on the Pacific, as well as a branch connection through Canada's Northwest Territories to the Arctic Ocean. A member of the University Club of Seattle, the Seattle Golf Club, and the Seattle Tennis Club, Duke led an active social life. He was a principal owner of property on the Oregon coast that was developed into one of the finest golf course complexes in the country. He is survived by his wife Marillyn, his sons Alan, Bart, and Rolfe, and his grandsons Sam and Luke, as well as an extended family. A more detailed biographical sketch can be found at http://www.mountaineers.org/nwmj/06/061_Watson1.html. Remembrances may be made to the Swedish Medical Center Foundation, 747 Broadway, Seattle WA 98122. At Duke's request there will be no memorial service.