Evan Nicholas Watson

1943 - 2025

Evan Nicholas Watson
03/30/1943 - 07/03/2025
In Loving Memory of Evan Nicholas "Nick" Watson March 30, 1943 – July 3, 2025
Evan Nicholas Watson-better known to most simply as Nick-was a rare soul who made the world a kinder, more colorful place just by being in it. Born in Louisville, Kentucky, he grew up with southern charm and a curiosity about the world that couldn't be contained. He took that charm all the way to Trinity High School and Bellarmine University, and eventually to Ohio, where he briefly worked in mental health before hearing San Francisco call his name. Nick never ignored a good invitation, especially when it involved community, adventure, and authenticity. San Francisco delivered all three.
At the DeYoung Museum, where he later retired, Nick's appreciation for beauty and history found a perfect home. But retirement didn't slow him down. He filled his days with storytelling, laughter, love, and possibly more animals than most zoos could accommodate. His beloved Athena, furry confidante and steadfast comforter, stayed faithfully by his side to the very end.
Nick had a magical way of drawing people into his orbit. He was a good citizen of the planet in every sense of the word. His love was unconditional, and his humor could leave a room in tears, or roaring with laughter (often both). Whether it was his tales of improbable travel adventures or his reflections on life's simpler pleasures, Nick told stories like no other.
After the loss of his dear Brian, Nick found a chosen family in the Harpers, who welcomed him into every celebration, every holiday, every moment worth sharing. His life was further enriched by Jerry Cassel's airline crew, who insisted on including Nick in their globe-trotting escapades.
And then there was his final chapter, tender and brave. Janet, Emelia, Hermes, Debra, Keo and more dear friends from far and wide stood firmly by Nick's side through health challenges, bringing comfort, dignity, and deep love. Their loyalty speaks volumes about the man Nick was-the kind whose impact endures in the hearts of those lucky enough to know him.
Nick Watson lived richly, laughed deeply, and loved without reservation. He didn't just make friends-he made family, wherever he went. He will be missed profoundly but remembered in every story retold, every smile sparked by his memory, and every animal that wanders into a backyard and somehow feels at home.
Nick was predeceased by his parents Elmer Watson and Edna Hill Watson, and his sister Mary Vandalee Watson Roppel. He is survived by Cory Roppel and Katie Roppel Holland and many grand nieces and nephews in Kentucky. Donations can be made in Nick's honor to his favorite charities: Project Open Hand, ACLU, SF SPCA, or an organization of your choice. A celebration of Nick's life will be held in October in San Francisco. Inquiries can be sent to Watsonmemorial2025@gmail.com.