Dennis Keith Watson

Dennis Keith Watson of Mount Pleasant, SC passed away on Wednesday, January 29th. A celebration of his life will be held Sunday February 9th, from 2 to 4 pm at the Hobcaw Creek Plantation Clubhouse, 430 Ansley Ct., Mount Pleasant, SC. Those that knew Dennis know he never liked to dress up so dress is casual for this event. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Mount Pleasant Chapel.

Dennis is survived by his loving wife, Patricia Mary Watson, his two daughters Karen Mary van Bakergem and Victoria Elizabeth Watson, his two grandchildren Ella Mary van Bakergem and Willem Benjamin van Bakergem, and his brother Michael Lee Watson.

Dennis was a retired, distinguished Professor in the Department of Pathology and the Hollings Cancer Center of MUSC where he was a mentor to many students, post-doctoral researchers, and colleagues. Dennis was born in Glendale, California in 1950. He received his bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Southern California (the other USC) where he met Pat. After their marriage, they honeymooned in a small sports car across the country to pursue further education in Maryland. In Maryland, Dennis obtained his PhD from The Johns Hopkins University. While he was a PhD student, he and Pat had their first daughter, Karen. Dennis continued his research in cancer and molecular genetics as a post-doctoral fellow and had a second daughter, Victoria (Tory). The family moved to Mount Pleasant, SC in 1993. Over the next 22+ years, Dennis mentored numerous graduate students who have gone on to other Universities and Research settings to pursue research focused on many areas, including research to determine which genes are important for the presence and spread of cancer.

Dennis was a scientist and researcher but was also an avid fan of cinema and could easily quote movies from the 40's to today. He was a caring father that shared journeys to Europe, movie nights, games of Gin and Monopoly, and a love of dogs with his family.

He will be greatly missed by family, friends, and his scientific colleagues. "When we look into the eyes of our loved ones, we see not just their faces but also our love reflected back to us like a mirror." DKW

In lieu of flowers please consider memorial donations to either Charleston Animal Society, 2455 Remount Road, North Charleston, SC, 29406 (https://www.charlestonanimalsociety.org/DONATE) or Carolina Children's Charity, P.O. Box 30068, Charleston, SC 29417().