Ernest Charles Watkins
"He taught me and hundreds of other alumni during the 1960s and '70s," recalled Assistant Dean for Community Clinics Nelson Artiga-Diaz, DDS.
Ernest Charles Watkins, DDS, passed away on Dec. 4 at the age of 83. Born in Riverside, California, on March 14, 1924, Watkins served in the US Naval Air Corps from 1943 to 1945 and in the Naval Reserve for 22 years, retiring as commander. He fell in love with his wife, Peggy, while sitting in church in 1946 as she sang in the choir. They were married in 1947.
Watkins attended the UCSF School of Dentistry, where he subsequently taught dentistry for 20 years. He and Peggy moved to Los Altos in 1956, where his private dental practice flourished for 35 years, and where they raised four children.
Watkins was a fellow and life member of the American Dental Association, belonged to the California Dental Association and the Napa-Solano Dental Society, and was a retired dental naval reserve officer. A 29-year Napa resident, he was president of the Friends of the Napa City-County Library and served as secretary and treasurer of the Napa City-County Public Library Foundation for several years.
Watkins is survived by his wife, Peggy, of Napa; daughter Jan Tidgewell of Napa; daughter Beth Brister of Scotts Valley; son, Dick Sherry, of Phoenix, AZ; daughter Susie Riordan of Scotts Valley; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; sister, Dorris Kristick, of Napa; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Watkins' life was held on Sunday, Dec. 16. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Hospice of Napa Valley, Queen of the Valley Medical Center Foundation or the Napa City-County Public Library.
Related Link:
Napa City-County Public Library
