July 26, 1921 – February 27, 2021
Prominent Portland Veterinarian dies at age 99.
Frank Watts was born July 26, 1921, in Prince Rupert, Canada to William Charles Watts and Elinor Catherine Milnes Watts, who immigrated to Canada from Birmingham, England. The youngest of four siblings, the family moved to Kelso, Wash., in 1923 where Frank was raised and graduated from Kelso High School in 1939. He was the last of the four siblings and the last surviving: William “Bill” Watts, Vancouver, BC, Jack Watts, San Francisco and Iris Kelsey Smalley, Willits, Calif.
Frank was a college student when World War II started. He enlisted in the Army in January 1942 and was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division, 7th Infantry Regiment. His battalion set sail on the USS Joseph Hewes and landed at Fedala, Morocco Nov. 8, 1942. There he served in North Africa; Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. He landed on Sicily in July 1943. Then on to Italy where he fought in the major battles of Anzio and Monte Cassino, January 1944 – May 1944. He was also involved at the Battle of Colmar Pocket, France February 1945. Other notable locations he went through were Nuremburg, Munich, Berchtesgaden, and Salzburg, Austria where he was at when the war ended. Overall, he participated in five amphibious beach landings and eight military campaigns from Casa Blanca to French Morocco to Algeria to Tunisia, and from Sicily to Anzio to Rome to Southern France to the Rhineland and to central Europe and Germany. He returned to America on a troop ship which sailed on the Hudson River into NYC Harbor Sept. 11, 1945. The entire city turned out to give them a warm welcome. After the war he continued his education, graduating from Washington State University with a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine.
He married Leona Hubbard in 1952 – 1977 until her death. They had a loving, wonderful 25 years together raising their five children, Dale (Tara) Watts (Clackamas, Ore.), Karen (Craig) Brosnan (Clackamas, Ore.), Brian Watts (Washington, D.C.), Barbara (Bryan) Bosch (Tampa, Fla.), and Brenda (Ben) Vahdat (West Linn, Ore.). Frank had a long, remarkable career starting with private practice, then went to work as the Veterinarian for the city of Portland in 1958. His work focused on many public health concerns, including a highly publicized rabies problem in the early 70’s for which he received distinguished recognition from the CDC. He continued working with Multnomah County, most of his career working with the Health Department; epidemiology and public health. He also served the latter part of his career managing veterinary care and services with the county. He was an amazing, accomplished man, in his work and personal life. While managing five children and a full-time career, he studied at Multnomah School of the Bible, graduating in 1969 with a Degree in Theology.
Additionally, he was the owner/operator of a thriving blueberry farm which harvested and sold blueberries to local grocers and restaurants. Along with his career and love of family, he was a strong, faithful Christian and joined The Gideons International, which he loved and was a part of for most of the rest of his life, dedicated to spreading the gospel of Jesus throughout the world. In 1978 he married Ina Richardson and they had a marvelous life together, as well as their mutual love of serving in The Gideons until her death in 2004. He was a great pianist and loved playing his piano for most of his life. He will be remembered for his wonderful, kind heart and love for the Lord, his family, and grandchildren. He was well loved and will be greatly missed by many.
He is survived by his five children, their spouses; and eight grandchildren, Daniel Watts (Beka), Emily Mueller (Ryan), David Watts, Kevin Brosnan, Zachary Bosch, Lukas Bosch, Benjamin (Nicole) Vahdat, and Brandon Vahdat.
Remembrances to The Gideons International, Clackamas North Camp, P.O. Box 22462, Milwaukie, OR 97269, www.sendtheword.org Funeral arrangements by Finley-Sunset Hills. Space will be limited due to Covid restrictions.
Published by The Oregonian from Mar. 5 to Mar. 7, 2021.