Two weeks ago, we were horrified to learn that our friend and Stamen alum Zach Watson was fighting for his life after having been the victim of a car crash that injured six people in the Tenderloin. He’s been in critical condition since then.
I’m so very sorry to have to tell you that Zach passed away this afternoon. The doctors determined a few days ago that his coma would be permanent, and he was taken off of life support at 3:14pm.
It’s appropriate that he would leave us then, right at the number pi. I personally knew the side of him that was deeply involved with math, having worked with him on so many wonderful projects while he was at Stamen. I had second hand knowledge of the other side of him, the part that was perhaps even more deeply involved with food, and dancing, and embracing life. He was a smart interesting curious man, quick to laughter and very much on his own path. The work he did with me and Stamen is some of the work that I’m proudest of in my life. I was thrilled for him when he decided to continue his career after Stamen at the Exploratorium, and I’m sorry not to have seen more of the work he did there. Today the world lost a great artist and thinker and bon vivant.
He was 29 years old. I miss him dearly.
Sail on, Dr. Watson. We love you.