BOULDER, Colo. – James Bennett Watson III, 91, died peacefully Nov. 12, 2009. Born Aug. 10, 1918, to James B. Watson II and Elizabeth Thaxter Watson, he was raised in Bangor. He studied to be an anthropologist, receiving his AM and Ph.D. from the University of Chicago, and then spending the majority of his career in the anthropology department at the University of Washington, from which he retired in 1987. In 1943 he married Virginia Drew, 1918-2007. Professionally, he taught, wrote, edited and mentored graduate students and carried out fieldwork in the southwestern United States, Brazil and the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea. Away from the office, he held a passion for sailing, working with wood, reading, writing and playing his mandolin. He is survived by his son, James Bennett Watson IV; his daughter, Anne Thaxter Watson; and his two brothers, John Watson and Richard Smith. A service and interment will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15, at Mount Hope Cemetery.
JAMES BENNETT WATSON III
