Henry Charles “Hank” Watson III passed away on 2 Nov 1992 after struggling with lymphoma for six months. Classmates remember Hank as very smart, quiet, capable of deep thinking, somewhat enigmatic and a swell person to have as a friend. Most of all, he is remembered as a great soccer player who loved the game and played it exceptionally well. As a stalwart in Army's backfield, it was impossible for any opponent to get by Hank when they were trying to score. He always blocked their attempt and/or came away with the ball. Hank was named Second-team All-American on one of Army's best soccer teams in 1959, along with Lee Farmelo, who received an honorable mention. Hank, Lee and team mates Kaiser Bazan, Phil Chappell and Bev Powell were named to the regional All American team. Soccer was also a family affair. According to Andrea, Hank’s daughter, all three of his children played soccer and their mother was the best soccer fan around. Three of his grandchildren are all currently carrying on the love of his game.
Hank Watson was born and raised in West Grove, PA, the son of Henry and Anna Watson. Hank played baseball and soccer and was his class vice president in high school. He was an Eagle Scout, assistant scout master and honor student. He was honored in the Sportsman Hall of Fame at Avon Grove High School. His admiration for Felix Blanchard and Glenn Davis, Army football stars of 1944–46, inspired Hank to attend West Point. His local representative had assigned his West Point appointments for the year but offered one to the Air Force Academy. Hank decided to spend one year at Franklin and Marshall before receiving his appointment to West Point.
Hank started his military career with graduation leave followed by attendance at the Basic Engineer Officer Course and Airborne School. Knee injuries from years of soccer prevented him from attending Ranger School. His first duty station was with the 20th Engineer Battalion at Ft. Devens, MA. Spring and summer leisure time in 1961 were spent at Camp Drum, NY, where he was introduced to Priscilla (Pat) Jenkins of Hingham, MA, by a good friend he described as a “crazy chopper pilot,” Bobby Butcher. Before anything could develop between Pat and Hank, the Berlin wall went up, and he went to Germany for three marvelous years with the 547th Engineering Battalion, participating in field exercises, river crossings, and beer drinking.
In 1964, Hank returned to Ft. Belvoir for the Advanced Engineer Course and married Pat in December. Their first child, Matthew, was born in 1966 in time for his Dad’s first journey to the Military Assistance Command-Viet Nam, where he was awarded a Bronze Star Medal and Air Medal. Pat and Hank spent their short respite between Viet Nam tours assigned to ROTC at Northeastern University in Boston, and their daughter Andrea’s birth in 1968. Hank’s second tour in Viet Nam was as the S-3 and executive officer of the 34th Engineer Battalion. He was awarded another Bronze Star Medal and a Commendation Medal.
Hank then earned a MSCE degree at University of Missouri in Rolla, MO, followed by a utilization tour with the Corps of Engineers in Michigan. Christopher, their second son, was born in 1972.The Watson family then relocated to Picatinny Arsenal, NJ, for three marvelous years. This assignment bridged the gap between the project manager responsible for modernization of the ammunition facilities and the Engineer Corps.
The final years of his active duty service were spent in Post Engineer assignments at Ft. Belvoir, and Ft. McClellan, AL. Luck was with him in finding a second career. In 1980 they “retired” to the beach!
Hank joined the Virginia Beach Public Utilities and managed almost 200 people who operated the water and sewer system. Hank was delighted with his first and only civilian assignment.
In the meantime, the children were growing up. Matthew graduated from East Carolina University with a construction management degree in 1990. He and his wife Cristy currently live with their two children, Austin and Skyler, in Goodells, MI.
Andrea graduated from Virginia Tech in 1990 with a business management degree. She and her husband Frank live in Clifton, VA. They have three children, Ashley, Nicholas and Courtney. Nicholas’ resemblance to Hank is uncanny.
Christopher graduated from Virginia Wesleyan College in 1995 with a degree in recreational therapy. He was a starting defensive player for Virginia Wesleyan. Hank thoroughly enjoyed watching Chris play. Chris and his wife Heather currently live in Swampscott, MA, with their infant son, Andrew.
Soccer involvement continued to play a role in Hank’s life after West Point. He spent numerous hours officiating at youth, collegiate and adult levels, and helping out with coaching several times. Hank also enjoyed golfing, fishing off the Chesapeake Bay in his boat and summer barbecues and backyard games with his family. He also served as the favorite math tutor to his children and their friends. His goal, if he had retired a second time, was to teach college math.
Hank and Pat were looking forward to having some time to travel after the children graduated and started their own careers and families. Their plans never materialized. After Hank’s death, Pat continued to live in Virginia Beach until she moved to Haymarket, VA, in December 2006, to be nearer her daughter and three of her grandchildren. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2007 but continued to be an amazing mother and grandmother until her death on Memorial Day, 26 May 2008. She was laid to rest alongside Hank in the West Point Cemetery.
His children remember him for his strength of character, his unflappable demeanor and strong moral principles and his complete dedication to his family. They continue to feel guided by those qualities today.
—His daughter, sister and classmates