Remembering Fred Watts

Fred Watts

1927–2020

The Academy community lost one of its most revered members with the passing of Frederick D. Watts in late October 2020. Mr. Watts was a mainstay on campus from 1952 to 1992, embracing people he encountered in various roles during those 40 years. If you knew him, or of him, you’ll likely find reason to smile as we look back on his time at the Academy on pages 22–27.

Fred Watts: ‘Thanks for a million laughs’

I often eat lunch these days in Alumni Memorial Chapel, which has been converted into a temporary dining hall as we do our best to maintain social distancing during the pandemic. As I enjoy my lunch, I can’t help but look up at the portrait of Fred Watts, which hangs high on the rear wall of the Chapel overlooking what used to be the center aisle. In the portrait Fred sits with his legs crossed, he has a cigarette in hand and there is a wry smile on his face. I keep waiting for him to make some witty wisecrack about life at WMA or to tell an amusing story from his career at school. But instead, I content myself with the many good memories that go through my mind of the funny stories Fred told and the witty remarks he made about school life over the years.

In thinking about Fred Watts these days, the great death bed scene from Edwin O’Connor’s novel “The Last Hurrah” comes into my mind. In that scene, Frank Skeffington, the political boss who has just lost an election and has suffered a serious heart attack, is lying in bed and receiving the respects of his closest political allies. One of his cronies, an obsequious character named Ditto Boland, who always was a source of laughter to Skeffington and his pals, approaches Skeffington’s bed. Ditto doesn’t know what to say to his dying chieftain. After all, he received his nickname “Ditto” because he always repeated what somebody else had just said seconds before. As Ditto searches for words to express his concern and sadness, Skeffington stops Ditto before he can say anything and asks rhetorically, “Ditto, how in the world do you thank a man for a million laughs?” That same question comes into my mind when I think about Fred.

I am sure that many people who had met Fred Watts, either faculty who have worked with him or students who have been taught by him, have had a laugh or two with Fred. His humor could be irreverent but never unkind and oftentimes was directed at himself.

One of my funniest and most favorite memories of Fred occurred on one of his last days on campus before his retirement in 1992. Having finished teaching a class up the hill in Fisk Hall, I returned to my office in Rich Hall. • Faculty Marshal Don Upon entering the Rich Kelly, left, reacts to being Hall lobby, I stopped presented a gift from in my tracks. There, set Fred Watts during a Prize Day ceremony. up on an easel in front of the Head of School’s office, was the portrait of Fred commissioned by the school, which I now see every day in the Chapel at lunch.

I stopped and examined the portrait, and I could sense a feeling of sadness coming over me as I began to realize that a good friend, a mentor and an icon of the Academy would no longer be on campus to enliven us with his wit as well as his wisdom.

By fortunate coincidence, as I stood there in my melancholy reverie, the man himself walked by heading to his office at the north end of Rich Hall. I immediately complimented Fred on his portrait, and feeling a need to show him my gratitude for his friendship and kindness to me over the years, said, “Fred, this is a wonderful portrait of you. Is there any special place you would like it to be displayed? I will do whatever I can to make sure that it is placed there.”

Never one for self-aggrandizement and without breaking his stride as he moved across the lobby and with only a disdainful glance at his own portrait, Fred replied, “Mr. Kelly, hang the damn thing wherever it will aggravate the most people!”

Any melancholy feelings I may have had immediately evaporated with that remark. It was so typical Fred—blunt and self-effacing. I laughed all the way to my office. I realized that I just had a moment with Fred I could keep forever in my mind and that it would always put a smile on my face.

So, Fred, thank you for your service to the school, but, most of all, let me join Frank Skeffington and also say, “Thanks for a million laughs.”

Frederick D. Watts 1927–2020

(Adapted from his obituary in October 2020)

Wilbraham & Monson Academy is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Mr. Frederick D. Watts. Mr. Watts died peacefully at his care center in Salem, New Hampshire. He was 93.

Mr. Watts served the Academy for 40 years, from 1952 until his retirement in 1992.

His duties at the Academy included: • Master of English • Master of Geography • Master of Mathematics • Master of History • History Department Chair

He also served as: • Citizenship Advisor • Director of Residence • Senior Master of Rich Hall • Dean of Students • Director of Alumni Relations • Head of School

Mr. Watts took all of his roles seriously, but none more so than teacher, mentor and friend. His influence on the lives of countless students and fellow faculty members over the years cannot be overstated. He became a legend in his own time, and will be deeply missed by everyone who had the good fortune to know him.

We have created on our website: www.wma.us/fw a page to honor Mr. Watts. The passing of Fred Watts brought an outpouring of responses from alumni, former and current faculty, and so many who knew him in some capacity. We’d like to share a handful of the words shared in his memory.

“... reasons I remember and admired Fred: • He was well-grounded, confident in his persona, comfortable smoking and sipping coffee while reading a book. • He was unflappable, able to anticipate student misbehavior, respond to it effectively without being overly punitive and retain the respect of all. • His background (being in Beirut), uniqueness (not driving, but using buses to visit alumni) and ease with young students and overbearing parents alike—these gave him a Renaissance-man-like aura. • His only-child devotion to family was exhibited by a memorial organ concert he endowed at the Methuen Memorial Music Hall. • His interest in, and memory of, people and events and places never failed; and his spoken reflections were inevitably graceful, often lighthearted and tempered with understanding bordering on forgiveness. • Fred’s response when asked to be “Acting Headmaster” was a “No.”

Because (he said) “one cannot ‘act’ as Headmaster,” but “Yes” to be

Interim Headmaster.” —Bill Faulkner ’57w

“I and my three children—Jeff, Carla and Brian—benefited from his teaching and mentoring. Ria and I remember the lively evening discussions at his home when we and the Russ Cook family attended Parents Weekends and other Academy activities. One discussion was about the house previously being a dentist office and haunted. Next morning Ria confirmed to Mr. Watts that indeed she did see a ghost in the upper hallway during the night. RIP Mr. Watts. Your legacy lives!” —Charles Pettee ’57w

“‘Derf’ (Fred backwards), as some of us secretly called him, had an uncanny ability to know all things at all times, or so it seemed. His piercing glance over the top of his glasses when he asked you a question, informed you that he already knew the answer but wanted to hear what your response would be. An important part of Fred’s interaction with students was his dry wit. If a stern message was needed, the addition of a little humor made it much more palatable. Fred was a true humanist and a treasured asset not only to WMA but also to all those he influenced over many decades.” —Sandy Ganun ’60w

“Very much a gentleman, Fred was a true scholar, a terrific teacher, and a mentor. For me, his lasting legacy is the critical role he played in making the difficult and often contentious merger of the two academies work: it was he who took the lead in gaining the support of faculty, most of whom were Wilbraham people, and not at all pleased. Without Fred’s patient and effective counsel, WMA might well have collapsed.”

In our words ...

—Herb Wilkinson ’61w (and former faculty)

Alumni & Community Reflections

“For me he was the icon, the pinnacle, the ultimate, the paragon of steadfastness, of wit, of academic excellence, of compassion, of all that is to be hoped for in a world-class (but always modest) leader. I would give my right arm to be his history student again today!!! What a brilliant mind. He touched my heart and mind. He sparked my hope. As a man of absolute integrity, he made a world of difference in my ability to feel safe, not only in his presence but everywhere at Wilbraham, a novel experience for me. His equal is rare. His uniqueness, incomparable! His influence lives on in me today in inexpressibly wonderful ways. He will never be forgotten in my lifetime. His memory burns ever bright.”

—Charles Kellogg Jr. ’62W

“I learned a lot about leadership ... Fred kept his cool and didn’t raise his voice. He reasoned with us as if we were equals. He articulated his concern and set an objective for us. He sought our buy in. Fred was an example I tried to emulate. I never saw him mad or loud. He always had that twinkle in his eye and his understanding that boys will be boys. He could communicate a lot with those eyes without ever saying a word! He was a great role model for me.”

—Fletcher Swanson ’63W

“Mr. Watts was like a north star, keeping us on course when psychologically ... I was often veering off. Somehow, he just knew what was going on, as if he had bugged every room and had TV cameras in the hallways. We all feel the same about Mr. Watts, that he was one of the unforgettable people in our lives. We all have Mr. Watts stories (some, multiples ... ). Such a profoundly good man, as a teacher and a guide. I know—because he told me—how proud he was of his boys; and, I told him how much he meant to us all. But, of course, being Mr. Watts, he already knew.”

—David Kent ’69W

“I remember Mr. Watts as a safe port in the storm. He always had a smile and a kind word. A very connecting person that made you feel good to be around him. Never judging, always available and open, very encouraging and accessible, truly the characteristics that make for an exceptional teacher, mentor and friend.”

—James Prudden ’70W

“What a wonderful teacher he was! Mr. Watts’ class radically changed the way I approached history. He challenged us to interrogate history and really think about what it meant.”

—Christine Galavotti ’73

“Mr. Watts spanned two generations of our family—my Dad (’55W) and myself. My first day in 1976, he tracked me down just to say hello and make me feel at home by regaling me with memories of my father’s time, which he recalled as vividly as if they had just happened yesterday. His uncanny recall of students and Academy history was derived from his sincere passion and interest in everyone and everything W&M. He was a great mix of joviality (with that famous Watts’ grin and twinkling eyes), irreverence and deadpan seriousness when work had to be done.”

—John Banas ’80

“Fred always asked me how I was doing and checked up on me. He made me feel like I was important to him, and that the friendships and mentoring he gave to those before me, mattered to him. He always had a smile (for me, anyway!) and a twinkle in his eyes. He, his ties and his spirit will be missed! Legacy.”

—Elizabeth Mulcahy ’84

“When Fred would visit WMA, he would show such genuine interest in the English program by visiting classes, inquiring about the books we were teaching or asking about new technology. I enjoyed our conversations and could tell he was a passionate teacher. He knew the value of fostering discussion and dialogue among teachers and students—the shared experience of true learning. This plaque is posted in the classroom where I now teach, and it inspires and reminds me daily of Fred’s legacy as a beloved educator.”

—Meg Lenihan Hutcheson, Chair, English department

“My husband, Bill ’68, was deeply fond of Fred. Fred was the reason Bill joined the Board years ago. As a young development officer, Fred welcomed me, teased me and taught me much about WA values, meaning and lore. Both Bill and I treasured our later visits with Fred, whose mind remained sharp forever.”

—Linda Griffin, current Trustee

Letter to Alumni: From Head of School Brian P. Easler

Sent Nov. 13, 2020

Dear WMA Alumni,

I have known Fred Watts for 22 years, since 1998 when I first began working at Wilbraham & Monson Academy as the Director of Alumni Affairs. Fred had recently retired from the Academy, but he was no less active in the life of the school or influential in the community or with the alumni. Mr. Watts is literally an institutional icon at WMA; he was the center of every gathering (with a gravitational pull few could resist), and he certainly had a significant impact on me, the young and very green new Alumni Director.

I would spend hours with Fred in those days—sitting together in some campus space, or at the Student Prince or the Colony Club after retrieving him from the train station, perhaps with a cold refreshment or two—reminiscing about his exploits at the school and reveling in his vivid, well-told and usually hilarious stories. I learned about WMA from the inside out, from the man who knew it all. What better resource could a new alumni director have, and what better friend to accompany me on my own WMA journey.

Fred had a great deal of patience with me (he would say with a twinkle in his eye that I required a great deal of patience). Those of you who knew him well would expect that kind of patience, and you would also expect that he had a good bit of fun at my expense when I deserved it. Although Fred was never my formal teacher as he was to thousands of WMA alumni, he was my teacher and mentor nonetheless because that is what Fred was at heart—a teacher and a mentor to anyone who benefitted from engaging with him. It is said that a teacher’s impact is measured in their positive influence on the lives of their students for the decades that follow. As such, Fred Watts leaves behind a remarkable legacy through not only those of us who learned from him but also many, many more who benefit secondhand through Fred’s positive impact on us. We would all be fortunate to leave such an imprint on the world.

I know Fred was disappointed in me at least twice, or so he quipped—once when I switched from the Alumni Office to the Deans Office, and then again when I became a (dreaded) headmaster. The best piece of educational advice I ever received came from Fred on one of those occasions, however, when I became the Dean of Students. Fred said—“If you MUST become the Dean, Brian, you will need to strike the right balance in your relationship with the students. Their feelings toward you should roughly equate to 40% respect, 40% love and 20% fear.” I have to admit ... I was skeptical. In my experience, though, 14 years as the Dean and now six as the Head, Mr. Watts’ advice was absolutely precise and timeless ... and that formula served us both very well.

Through all of his humor and his wit and his ribbing ... and his storytelling ... it was obvious to all that Fred cared deeply for the Academy and all of its people; and that love was reciprocated in a way that should warm the hearts of all educators.

I will spend the rest of my time continuing to try to make Mr. Watts proud of me and his beloved school, and trying to live a life as purposeful and honorable as the one he lived.

Brian P. Easler Head of School Wilbraham & Monson Academy

Thanks for a million laughs, Fred Watts