(-- The Beacon)
By Laura Frazier Features Editor fraizer13@up.edu
Assistant Director of Public Safety Steve Watson, beloved for his quiet kindness and dedication to serving the UP community, died Tuesday afternoon in a mid-air plane crash near Newberg, Ore.
Around 4:20 p.m. Tuesday, Watson was flying a single-engine Beech Bonanza V35 when it collided with a twin-engine Piper PA 44-180 over Champoeg State Park, according to Josh Cawthra, an investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Watson, a certified pilot, was flying solo, investigators said.
A 31-year-old flight instructor and 23-year-old student were in the other plane. It landed in an adjacent field and they were uninjured.
Watson, 58, worked for the University's Public Safety Department for approximately 10 years. A 1975 UP graduate, he began his career as an Oregon State Police trooper. Watson was first stationed in Astoria, Ore., and was promoted to commander and moved to Tillamook, Ore. He retired from OSP in 2002 and began working at UP.
University President Fr. Bill Beauchamp, C.S.C, alerted the UP community of Watsons' death via email Wednesday.
"Steve served here with distinction on The Bluff for many years and will be missed greatly," Beauchamp said in his email. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this sorrowful time."
Director of Public Safety Harold Burke-Sivers admired Watson's professionalism.
"Steve was an exceptional human being and an absolute joy to work with," Burke-Sivers said. "We were a great team. He performed his duties of managing day-to-day operations with excellence and grace. "
On Wednesday, a Mass was offered in honor of Watson in the Chapel of Christ the Teacher, which was packed with members of the UP community.
Fr. John Donato, C.S.C., celebrant of the Mass, remembered Watson's character.
"I knew of him as a very diligent and great person," Donato said to the mourners.
In an email, Donato added how much he enjoyed working with Watson.
"He was always so helpful and attentive to details," Donato said. "He had a dry sense of humor that you'd have to listen closely or you might miss it."
The Federal Aviation Administration and NTSB are investigating the collision.
In a news conference near the crash site, Cawthra said the cause of the collision was unknown. Investigators were scheduled to interview the two survivors later Wednesday.
"We know that both of them were on board the aircraft, and we know they were doing a form of training," he said. "As far as who was manipulating the flight controls, we have not determined that."
Champoeg State Park is closed indefinitely so investigators can gather and analyze debris from the crash, park manager Chris Havel said.
The park was evacuated and expected visitors were referred to other campsites.
The investigation could take from six months to a year.
At the Wednesday news conference, Oregon State Police Lieutenant Gregg Hastings remembered Watson for his calm and confident leadership.
"He was a top-notch Oregon State Police trooper and sergeant," he said. "He will be missed by those who knew him in the department."
Watson's absence created a profound sense of sorrow on UP's campus, especially within the Public Safety Department.
"I am shocked, devastated, and heartbroken at his loss," Burke-Sivers said. "I will miss Steve, very, very much."
Watson is survived by his wife Gale, and two adult daughters Madison James and Emily Watson. Funeral arrangements are pending.
