Phillip Baxter Watts

Born April 15th, 1951, in Charlotte, North Carolina, a son of Curtis and Vera (Thornburg) Watts, Phil was raised in Charlotte and graduated from Garinger High School, Class of 1969. He enrolled at East Carolina University where he received his Bachelors Degree in Physical Education in 1973. In 1973, Phil was also united in marriage to the former Annette Glover. He returned to the classroom, earning his Master’s Degree in Physical Education and Exercise Science. Graduate school followed at the University of Maryland where Phil received his PhD in Exercise Physiology. In January 1978, the couple relocated to Marquette where Phil had accepted a teaching position in the Physical Education Department of Northern Michigan University to teach exercise physiology and run a cardiac rehabilitation program. He originally planned to stay for two years, acquire more experience, and move on, but the whole Marquette environment captured his imagination and desire to remain. While living in Marquette, he became associated with the few people, at the time, who were involved in rock climbing. He instantly fell in love with the sport. Combining his scientific research endeavors with his love of climbing and mountaineering, he developed a curriculum at NMU around rock climbing. At first, the fledgling program lacked adequate equipment and training as it evolved into unfamiliar territory. However, Phil was able to develop a rock climbing class during the 80’s, mentoring many undergraduate and graduate students for over 38 years from 1978 until his retirement in 2016. He was a catalyst for the climbing scene in Marquette, earning him the nickname, “The Godfather of Marquette Climbing”. With his years of teaching, Phil has directly taught over a thousand people to climb and many more who were introduced to the sport by his students who were affected by his research. Phil was internationally acclaimed as a rock climbing and mountaineering researcher and was the expert to review papers and make presentations on those topics. Though his hard work, research, and determination, NMU students have developed an outstanding reputation in the field for their professionalism. Phil was also a co-founder of the Upper Peninsula Climbers Coalition.

In announcing Phil’s passing, NMU noted that he served on many committees across campus, with the College and School, as well as nationally and internationally.

He was awarded many faculty grants, including the Peter White award, eight times with the faculty merit award, as well as, the Distinguished Faculty award in 1992. In 1981, he started the Masters of Science program in Exercise Science, and the Sports Science undergraduate program in 1996. He developed and was the instructor for 15 academic courses at NMU and was the originator of the former GetFit program (now MoveUP) and the director from 1978-1985. He served as an advisor for 12 Freshman Fellow student researchers and authored 88 papers/presentations with current or former students. He was a Fellow in the American College of Sports Medicine and has authored 111 papers/presentations that are primarily in the areas of rock climbing, mountaineering, and Nordic skiing.

When Phil retired, he and wife, Annette, spent time camping, making music together and with their group “All Strings Considered”, and enjoying time with family. Phil wrote stories that brought smiles, elicited laughs (sometime gasps), and brought wonder and amazement to his escapades. He possessed an infectious smile, chuckle, and zest for life.

Phillip Watts

Phil is survived by his wife, Annette, of Marquette; his daughter, Salem (Loren) Prince of Green Bay, WI and two grandchildren, Zoey and Anya Prince of Green Bay.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

On January 2nd, NMU lowered the flag at half-mast in Phil’s honor.

A spring memorial is planned for May 28th, 2023, at the Presque Isle Pavilion, from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm, to celebrate the life of the man who once said, “Climbing is hard, but it sure is easier than growing up.” Climb on Phil!

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Hiawatha Music Co-op, 1015 N. Third Street. #9, Marquette, MI 49855 or the Access Fund, P.O. Box 17010, Boulder, CO 80308.

Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com.