Dr. Daniel Albert Watson, 84, a long-time resident and optometrist in Sturgis, SD, passed away on April 20, 2024 in Centennial, CO due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease.
Dan was born on May 10, 1939 in York, NE; the only child of George and Mildred Watson. He was active in Boy Scouts and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Following graduation from York High School in 1957, he attended Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, NE, where he met the love of his life, Arlene Lodwig. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree, he and Arlene were married on September 10, 1961 in Lincoln. While working as a Medical Technologist in 1964, Dan was encouraged to enter the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN, where he received a Doctor of Optometry Degree in June 1967.
Dan joined Dr. Donald Hines in his optometric practice in Sturgis soon after graduation. From 1969 to 1971, he served in the Air Force during the Vietnam conflict as an optometrist at the Davis-Monthan AFB eye clinic in Tucson, AZ. After honorable discharge as a Captain, he and his young family returned to Sturgis and he continued his optometric practice. In 1996, Dan and his new business partner, Dr. David Prosser, established the Northern Hills Eye Care in Sturgis. He also provided eye care at a satellite office in Faith, SD and to military veterans as a visiting optometrist at Ft. Meade VA Medical Center for much of his career. In 2006, Dan retired from the Northern Hills Eye Care and in 2009, he retired from the VA eye clinic at Ft. Meade.
Throughout his time in Sturgis, Dan was an active member of the Sturgis United Methodist Church and was involved in many community and professional organizations, including Lion’s Club, Sturgis City Council, Old Fort Meade Museum, Kiwanis, and state and national optometric associations. He and Arlene made wonderful friends in Sturgis and they treasured the many group vacations and regular gatherings with them. Dan and Arlene raised their three sons in Sturgis, and together they enjoyed many outdoor activities. Dan especially loved to fish, hunt and camp in and around the Black Hills. An annual fishing trip to Canada with a large group of friends was a highlight for many years.
Dan was preceded in death by his parents, George and Mildred Watson. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Arlene, of Centennial, CO; son, Jeffrey, his wife, Christine, of Centennial, CO, and their four daughters, Jamie, Kylie, Erin, and Lindsey; son, Michael, his wife, Shana, of Pooler, GA, and their two sons Derek and Ian; and son, Timothy, his wife, Amie, of Chancellor, SD, and their two sons Thayme and H. Walker. He was also blessed with one great-grandson, Casey Williams.
The family will host a visitation at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel from 5-7 pm on Wednesday, April 24, with funeral services at the Sturgis United Methodist Church at 10:00 am on Thursday, April 25, followed by interment at the Black Hills National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Old Fort Meade Museum.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.kinkadefunerals.com.
