David Watson Obituary

DAVID L. WATSON Jan. 20,1934 - May 19, 2024 Dave Watson - devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle. brother, friend, retired professor ofpsychology, and much more - died after a long illness in the early hours of May 19, 2024. Hisbeloved wife, Abby Brown-Watson, and his two children, Dan and Malia, were near him at the end. David was born in Nashville, TN, later living in several states while his father served with the Veterans Administration. Dave entered Duke University, then served in the US Army as a radio operator in Germany, completed his bachelor's degree at Vanderbilt University, and earned his PhD in psychology from Yale. He joined the faculty at the University of Toronto, but fled the cold and snow, eventually becoming a full professor at the University of Hawaii Manoa campus. He accomplished much in his profession. In more than thirty-two years at UH, Dave taught many courses, conducted numerous research studies, chaired the department for a time, and published many articles and books including a very influential text - Self-Directed Behavior, now in its tenth edition - in the field of behavior modification. Dave had many passions in his long life - teaching, research, writing, master gardener (docent at Foster Gardens), languages, marathons and triathlons, the Cactus and Succulent Society, good food and wine, good jokes, collecting (orchids, stamps, ceramics, rugs, crafts, and textiles, etc.), music, wide travel, hiking, birding around the world, founded and led a low vision support group at Pohai Nani, and on and on. But no passion exceeded his devotion to family. He was predeceased by his parents, Manly A. and Faye G. Watson of Tennessee, and by his former wife, Joyce Frank Watson. Dave is survived by treasured and far flung family: his wife Abby Brown-Watson, his two children Daniel and Malia (husband Stamati), two step-children Jeremy (wife Aimee) and Stephanie, four grandchildren (Kai, Kanani, Caleb, and Ella), brother John (wife Susan Meredith), niece Emily Meredith-Stein (husband Daniel) and nephew Nicholas Watson (wife Jessica), and five great nieces and nephews (Indigo, Huck, and Seeger Meredith-Stein and Wilhelmina and Theodore Watson). A service of celebration and remembrance of David's life is planned for June 9, 2024, 4:00 pm, at Pohai Nani, 45-090 Namoku Street, Kaneohe, with a social gathering to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift in his name to the Hawaii Parkinson's Assn., The Michael J. Fox Foundation, or Ho'opono Services for the Blind Arrangements Provided By: Nuuanu Memorial Park & Mortuary LLC