BEAVERTON, Ore. -- The pilot who died in a plane crash near Newberg Tuesday was a quiet man who worked hard and made people smile, a longtime friend said Wednesday.
Steven L. Watson, 58, of Beaverton, was survived by his wife and two adult daughters. Friends said above all, he was a family man.
Neighbors in the community where Watson lived said he was a caring person who never wanted to be the center of attention and he was very compassionate.
"He was such a vibrant person," said neighbor Nancy Marxen-Phinney. "We just saw him, this is very hard to deal with."
Watson was retired from Oregon State Police as a commander in 2002. His 26-year OSP career included working as a trooper in Tillamook and Astoria.
OSP lieutenant Gregg Hastings said he met Watson several years back and worked with him when he was in Astoria.
“He was a top-notch Oregon state police trooper and sergeant. Steve was someone who, even though he was very quiet, when Steve smiled, he lit up a room,” Hastings said.
Watson was most recently working as the Assistant Director of Public Safety at the University of Portland.
"The two things he was deeply passionate about were family and flying," said co-worker Harold Burke-Sivers. "On this inside, he was very passionate and sensitive."
Watson also enjoyed teaching justice classes at U of P.
A neighbor told KGW Watson had just recently purchased the plane. He was also a certified flight instructor.
Friends said they have turned their focus on Watson's wife and family - to surround them with love and support. This was her second marriage; she lost her first husband to cancer.
