Robert B. Watson (administrator)
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Robert Blake Watson[1] (December 14, 1913 – August 12, 2000) was an administrator at Harvard University who served as the dean of students from 1958 to 1970 and athletic director from 1970 to 1978.
Watson was born in Wellesley, Massachusetts on December 14, 1913, to Edward A. and Irene J. (Brown) Watson.[2] He grew up in Wellesley and graduated from St. Mark's School. He attended Harvard College, where he lettered in football and crew. He graduated in 1937 and worked for JP Morgan until 1940, when he joined the United States Navy. During World War II he served as the executive officer on the USS Leary. He was one of 220 men on board the Leary when it was sunk on December 24, 1943. After giving his life jacket to another crew member, Watson clung to a piece of wood for five hours in the waters of the North Atlantic until another warship rescued him and the other 56 survivors.[3] He was discharged in 1946 with the rank of Commander.[4]