Man Killed Wednesday at Mount Rainier was GRCC Instructor

The Green River Community College campus was coming to terms with the loss of one of its own Thursday after word spread that IESL instructor Dave Watson died in a sledding accident at Mount Rainier National Park on July 4.

KIRO reports this afternoon that Watson was with his son in the Edith Creek area Wednesday when he broke through a snow crust over the creek and fell into the creek beneath the snow. Rescue workers were able to get him out and start CPR but he passed away en route to Harborview Medical Center, according to a college communication to staff.

Former Enumclaw City Councilman Rich Elfers who is also an instructor at GRCC said he wasn't close with Watson but had chatted with him in the past about their shared love of social studies. "He was just a nice guy," Elfers said.

Watson, Elfers said, worked primarily with international students at the college. He had been near Tiananmen Square in Beijing during the 1989 student uprising, he said.

Watson leaves behind his wife and four children, ranging in ages from 11 to 17, according to the college communication. A memorial service is being planned by Kent Covenant Church.

More news from Mount Rainier:

• Efforts to recover the body of after he fell to his death June 21 in a rescue of four injured climbers, were successful Thursday. Sunrise Road has reopened.
• Mowich Road reopens Friday, July 6.