Daniel Stephen Watterson

1956-2020

Posted

Daniel Stephen Watterson passed away recently due to complications following a heart attack on Dec. 12, 2019. His death took place on Jan. 5, 2020, in Kelowna, B.C.

Daniel was born in Spokane, WA, to David and Brittie Watterson. The family moved to Sumner, WA in 1966. There Daniel attended school and graduated from Sumner High School in 1974. Daniel was very active outdoors. He and his family camped during school vacations and weekends always including the family cat, a practice that he and his wife continued. Dan’s father David loved Port Townsend. Daniel and his siblings grew up going to Fort Worden to play in the empty bunkers for hours. It was a favorite place to visit and remains so today.

Everything Dan wanted to learn, he learned quickly. He started piano lessons at the age of 9 and quickly took off playing sheet music or making pieces up at the spur at the moment. His hands were always lively on the piano. In high school he played the bass in a band that performed at several small venues. After Daniel graduated from high school, he worked at Mt. Rainier National Park and then spent time making friends hitchhiking cross-country.

Daniel put himself through college at the University of Washington, continuing his education at the Universities of Colorado, Nevada and Houston, obtaining Master degrees in Science, Geology and Education. While in Colorado he met his wife Anne Parks Watterson. They were married in August 1990 and moved to Vernon B.C., Canada in 2004. Dan became a Canadian citizen in 2018, retaining his U.S. citizenship.

Daniel was the Principal Hydrogeologist with Watterson Geoscience Inc., in Vernon, B.C. He had over 33 years of geoscience, environmental and water resource experience. He was registered in B.C. as a Professional Geoscientist and as a Licensed Geologist and Hydrogeologist in Washington State. Dan began his career as a petroleum geologist and acquired expertise in onsite waste-water treatment and disposal, mining-related assessments, contaminated site remediation and managed projects located in British Columbia, Alberta, Northwest Territories, Yukon, Ontario, the U.S., Eritrea and Mexico.

Daniel had a unique passion for guiding people. A natural teacher and mentor, Daniel would often assist others in meeting their utmost potential. Daniel was an incredible role model. He loved his wife, Anne, deeply and was known to be exceptionally kind and caring to his family, friends and a lover of cats. He is survived by his wife, Anne Watterson, his sisters; Alisande, Meredith, Ame and Julia, and many nephews, nieces, great nephews and great nieces and friends. His beautiful smile and enthusiasm for life are deeply missed.

A Celebration of Life for Daniel will be held on Sat., Feb. 29, 2020 at 2 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1020 Jefferson St., Port Townsend, WA 98368. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall of the church. Daniel will be laid to rest next to his father, David.

The family requests that donations be made in Daniel’s name to the Humane Society of Jefferson County in lieu of flowers.