Intrepid spirit shone in work and home life

Published on Saturday 19 January 2008 10:10

EASTON WATT has died at the age of 61.

BORN in Edinburgh in September 2, 1946, shortly after Easton Watt's birth, his family emigrated to South Africa. They returned to the Capital after four years, moving back into the family home on Clark Avenue in Trinity.

The experience was the first of many adventures Easton enjoyed throughout his life.

After attending Leith Academy he went on to study at Birmingham University, eventually qualifying as a chartered surveyor.

While completing his masters degree at Birmingham University, he fell in love with fellow student Betty. The couple were married in 1972 and went on to have two daughters, Linsay and Kirsty.

Easton accepted a place to study for a PhD in the economics of construction at Heriot-Watt University shortly after his marriage to Betty and the couple decided to move back to Edinburgh.

While completing his studies, he stood as a Conservative candidate in Leith in the local elections. He was ultimately unsuccessful but

his decision to stand was an indicator of his fearless spirit – an attitude which took him to Beirut, Lebanon. After putting his doctorate on hold for a year, he and Betty spent the next 16 years in the country and only left when civil war broke out in 1975.

Their next move was to Dubai where Easton was so impressed with the burgeoning business community that he decided to open his own chartered surveying firm, Easton Forbes Watt and Partners, in 1976.

The firm was a huge success and quickly became known for its work in army camps, construction and oil fabrication.

While in Dubai, Easton was made Warden for the British Graves Commission and was later named as British Consul Warden for Sharjah.

He also helped to set up the Wanderers Golf Club and Wanderers Rugby Club for expatriates in Dubai and he played rugby for the Emirates Barbarians.

In 1989, Easton decided to sell his business and return to Edinburgh with Betty, after accepting the position of managing partner at Gleeds Financial Services.

He took early retirement at the age of 55 but the slower pace of life wasn't to his liking and two years later he joined Edinburgh City Council and became involved in the PPP Schools Project.

During this time he was also chairman of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, QS Division, in Scotland, sat on the International Committee, served as a Justice of the Peace and was a member of the board of management at Stevenson College.

Until his death on December 21, 2007, Easton played tennis and enjoyed fishing and shooting, keeping bees and breeding canaries. He was also an experienced sailor.

But despite his many hobbies and professional success, family was always the most important thing to Easton.

Betty said: "He was a devoted husband and a father and we lived a wonderful life together. We will miss him more than we can say."

He is survived by his wife, Betty, and daughters Linsay and Kirsty.