Mr. Watson was age 65 when he passed away. He lived in West Philadelphia and passed away from complications from a fall.
Born and raised in Cambridge, Ontario, Dr. Watson earned a bachelor's degree in 1962 from the University of Toronto and a doctorate in 1968 from Yale University, both in art history.
Dr. Watson started teaching art history at the University of Pennsylvania immediately following graduation from Yale, a post he held until retiring in 2000. After retirement, he advised students at Penn.
He married Elizabeth See in 1969. They divorced in 1979.
Dr. Watson was a member of St. Agatha-St. James Roman Catholic Church, where he was a lector and member of the parish council.
In addition to his former wife, Dr. Watson is survived by a daughter, Amanda, and a sister.