Stephen Watson, UCT Creative Writing Prof, Dead At 56.

Several years ago I made contact with Stephen Watson, director of the master's in creative writing at the University of Cape Town, in South Africa. This man was very kind and helpful. At that time, the degree was being offered without required campus residency. After some correspondence and my sending some work samples, Professor Watson was willing to accept me into the program. I ended up not enrolling because I was wondering about the utility of the degree for teaching in the USA. Later, when I was reconsidering my decision, I looked at the website again, and they had changed the program to a residential one with required on-campus workshops. I suppose I made the right decision initially, but I'll never be completely sure.

Anyway, Stephen was always very open and encouraging, and he always responded to my emails in a thorough and considerate manner. When I read about his passing, I was very sad. I thought very highly of him, and I just wanted you good people on this forum to know that a good man and caring teacher is no longer with us. And please pray for his wife and children, if you believe in prayer.

Here is a link to an announcement about this:

Stephen Watson, RIP | Books LIVE

 

It shows your a kind soul to care that much about a person from the other side of the world. I never met the guy but am sorry to hear of his passing. At times like this I hope there is a heaven for good people to go to.

 

There is!

 

I was kind of startled when I found the news. Stephen Watson was the same age as I am.

I remember having a similar feeling when a singer/songwriter I admire -- Dan Fogelberg -- died a few years ago of prostate cancer, at the age 0f 56.