Peter “Pete” Hubert Chapman Watson, 90, of Salida, Colorado died December 17, 2024 in Canon City, Colorado. He was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on February 9, 1934, to Jessie (Armstrong) and Bert Watson.

Mr. Watson attended the University of Alberta and received a degree in accounting. He went on to obtain degrees in Architecture and Urban Planning at the University of Oregon. He worked in land use planning in Pendleton, Eugene and St. Helens OR, where he lived from 1975 – 1999.

In 1987, Mr. Watson founded CREAM Publishing, an educational materials company specializing in teaching units for gifted children. His wife, Pat, created the units, and Mr. Watson edited, illustrated and marketed them. He got a kick out of walking into a teaching supply outlet or bookstore and finding copies of their work on the shelves. Both eventually returned to their previous careers and sold the rights.

Pete loved playing soccer, hiking, biking, swimming, rafting, and especially sailing all over the state of Oregon. He owned several small boats throughout the years. He was also a big fan of hockey, particularly the Edmonton Oilers, in the 1980s. Throughout the years he became a collector of art, as some of his friends were artists. They often gifted Pete with original works, and he joked that, “blank wall space was unacceptable.”

He took flying lessons in 1998, along with his stepson Sean, in St. Helens, OR. He decided flying wasn’t for him, while Sean went on to become the youngest pilot in the nation licensed to fly a gyroplane in 1999. Pete then went on to help Sean build a gyroplane in their garage in St. Helens, OR.

Mr. Watson forever loved classical music, reading and acting. He was active in the performing arts in Eugene and St. Helens, OR and in Salida, CO. He was well-versed in all aspects of theater, and particularly drawn to comedic roles. He had a wide-ranging talent, and could play any role he was given. He sang in various choral groups throughout his life, including You’ve Got Male in Salida, CO. For many years he DJ’d radio programs featuring classical music and jazz on KWAX in Eugene and KHEN radio in Salida.

He loved traveling throughout North America and Europe and spent several months exploring various countries in a 1969 Volkswagen Bus with his family. In 1995, Mr. Watson and his wife Pat and son Sean spent three weeks exploring the United Kingdom.

Upon retiring in 2000, Mr. Watson and his wife moved to Buena Vista, CO. His dream of designing and building a craftsman-style home became reality. He continued to be very active in the performing arts and with swimming. Because he was traveling between Buena Vista and Salida on a daily basis, he and his wife decided to relocate to Salida.

Friends who knew Pete well, knew he was happier being on and in the water than on land. From 2009-2011, in his mid-70s, he broke records in Columbia River swim challenges. Outside the water, in 2019, he went on a five-day tornado-chasing expedition in the Midwest. This was his last traveling adventure.

Mr. Watson was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Jennifer Howe (Ted). Survivors include his wife, Patricia, son, David Watson (Wendy) and their sons Clive and Axel; step-son Sean Lewis (Stephanie), and their children, Liam, Rowan and Kimber. He is also survived by his brother, William Watson (Alice) and 6 nieces and nephews living in British Columbia, Canada.

Per Mr. Watson’s request, there will be a private ceremony at his favorite nature area.