"Oh, I know Warren; he is my friend.”

Note: This time around we welcome guest blogger Chastine "Tina" Watters, who shares thoughts of her father in celebration of his birthday.

Every time my Godfather and Uncle, Bobby, saw a photo of his brother Warren, he said to me

“That is my best friend.”

Every April 23 for as long as Dad can remember, he would get a card or a nice long letter from

his big brother, Bobby, wishing him a Happy Birthday, and a funny card from his baby brother

Russell saying the same.

To all who know my father Warren, Uncle Bobby no doubt knew that the word “Friend” is the word that would always be the first word selected by everyone to describe his brother.

Four Score and eight years ago, the A. Adair Watters family grew by one and the Warren Kearny Watters thread began its weave of cleverly inventing fresh patterns of continuity into the New Orleanian Kearny and Watters legacies . . . and beyond . . . into the SAGA.

As an MIT engineer, Dad used his education to design and attain various patents throughout his business career. During the recent few years of retirement, the framework of being an expert acoustical engineer reflects in my father Warren’s clearly defined character, one of modest humility and well-read wisdom and experience. He has insulated our lives with warmth, planning and humor and fidelity to family and love.

 I have seen the notes of his years out in the business field and remember meeting a man from a distant country who explained that my father represented the American whose word was as

good as his hand shake. He would purchase from no other, based on Dad's trust and

trustworthiness.

 My father once demonstrated an invention that to me actually defines him. He handed me a small foam disc. This he explained, is insulation. Not only was it lightweight and extremely good at “damping” vibrations or noise, it was very hard to catch on fire or ignite. If it did burn it just evaporated into water! (with one “t” ). This product: simple, not flashy, not seeking attention or big names, was present throughout every ship and made sure that the atmosphere was always stable and safe. And if things did get hot, it would just become a bit of steam or a mist of water, a passing cloud. And like Dad, no one ever knew who or why things that might have become a dangerous fire never did.

My Father has been the quiet friend to so many men and women. His name just evokes a smile. If I say  “today is Warren Watters’ birthday, I know someone will say “Oh, I know Warren; he is my friend.”

I have heard those words all of my life.

The SAGA has been so much fun to read and study knowing that my Watters family are all as interested and fortunate to have had the wealth of history recorded because of the family who has made us who we are.

Every time I visit New Orleans Dad opens his computer and shows me something new that has been discovered and written.

Happy Birthday Dad
Tina

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WARREN!