I was blessed to see Dave once a month for 42 years. I miss him. As others noted, he was a very positive man. He had a happy, kind word for all who crossed his path.

Jack Mangan

Scott, you and your family are in my prayers and thoughts! I know your Dad is in Heaven holding hands with his love, your Mom!

Sorry to hear about Dave's passing.  He was such a fun, loving guy that made those around him feel good.  All those years he was such a part of the Dinkytown culture, able to connect with young and old.  I was lucky enough to see him at Milo's a couple months ago, glad I had the chance. Peace to his family.

Sorry to hear about the loss of Dave.  He always smiled and waved at me as I walked by his shop during my time at Marshall U and U of M.  He was a lovely soul.

Scott, Kim, Curt, and Laura,
So sorry to hear about Dave passing.  We moved in next store to your family in 1979 where we had 2 beautiful daughters that you all helped with and part of their growing up in the 11 years we were there.  Dave was a great neighbor and friend.  He will be missed.

So sorry to hear about your dad, he was an amazing person. I worked for him while I was in collage back in the late 80's / early 90's. He brightened everyone's day with his positive attitude, funny jokes and laugh! His clients not only got great haircuts but more importantly a half an hour of great conversations and stories. Your dad could talk to anyone and made everyone feel "at home". Dinkytown will not be the same without him. :(  Rest in Peace Dave the Barber - you will be missed!

So very sorry to hear about "Dave the Barber". Milo called us at Al's to let us know. Your Dad was a funny, great guy. I missed seeing him after he retired. I will remember him fondly eating his eggs and white toast. Unfortunately I cannot make the service but he will be in my thoughts. The best to all of you. Mary Rose

Kim, I am so sorry to hear about your dad.I never met him but he must of been a wonderful man to raise such a great daughter. My prayers to your family. Love, Carol

Words cannot express how I feel about "Dave The Barber". He and I have had a wonderful relationship that spanned the majority of a lifetime. Dave was kind and generous. His laugh was boisterous and infectious; He would bring joy to anyone who crossed his path. My family and I are deeply saddened by the loss of Dave and have wonderful memories of his life. Rest in Peace Dave, your companionship and friendship will be truly missed. I love you.

To Dave's Children:

I was deeply saddened by the death of my dear friend and barber.  I was a customer of your fathers for over 45 years.  He was a Great Man, and Great Friend, and I will dearly miss him.  He is a man who is irreplaceable; I will miss his wonderfull sense of humor.  He was truly a Master Barber, people were always impressed by the great work that he did. He was sure proud of all his children!!  My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this very difficult period.
With deepest sympathy,
Phil and Ingrid Chadwick
Shoreview, MN

Scott, Kim, Curt and Laura, and family,

I was deeply saddened to hear of your Dad's passing.  I cannot begin to express how much I enjoyed the 15 or so times a year when I would sit in Dave's chair, enjoy a cup of coffee, and talk out family adventures and the crazy stories of life.  I truly miss those days.  Please know that your Dad's memory will always be for a blessing.  God bless and be well.

To Scott, Kim, Curt and Laura,
Your dad and I go back 45 years.  Oh, so many stories that could be told, so much fun.  He really was the mayor of Dinkytown.  Lots of lunches and other fun escapades.  I've never met a stronger man, as he dealt with your mom's battle with cancer, and then, with his own.  He so rarely complained.  He was always so positive. A remarkable mentor for all of us.  He and Judy are together, both with new bodies and no pain.  What a joy for them, amidst our own sorrow.  My whole family, including my two boys, also Dave's customers since their very first haircuts, extend our deepest sympathy to you and your families.

Laura,

So very sorry to hear about your Dad.  Our thoughts are with you and your family.  I know your family was always good to Rachel, she has many great memories of your times together.

Kim, I am so sorry to here of the loss of your Dad.  There is so many stories I remember of times with your family. I can here and see us laughing still today.  I can see your mom and dad together again and makes me smile and hope gives you and family some peace.  God will look out for them till we see all our loved ones again someday.

OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH DAVIDS CHILDREN AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS.
DAVE AND JUDY WERE OUR DAUGHTERS GOD PARENTS. THEY WERE THE BEST GOD PARENTS ANYONE COULD EVER HAVE.
WE LAUGHED AT THE MANY BARBER SHOP STORIES HE WOULD TELL.
WE WILL MISS HIM.
MERLE AND BARBARA WILTS

Dave the Barber was one of the true icons of Dinkytown.  A fine fellow, full of good humor and always such a positive outlook.  Such an all around good, light-hearted guy; the world could use more like him.  I feel very fortunate to have known him, I will miss him, and I know I will think of him often and smile.  My heartfelt condolences to his family and his many, many friends.

Sorryto hear of your dad passing. Kenny was Judys cousin.

It has been nearly 10 years since I last saw Dave, but I remember his spirit and laughter very clearly. I was fortunate to be able to wok for Dave as a receptionist, where he would specify what regular customers liked having a certain beverage, paper or magazine ready to enjoy during their appointment. Everyone that went to Dave's felt welcome, and his love for family, friends, and his "regulars" was undeniable. Peace-

...You could hear Dave's laugh a block away in Dinkytown, and his jokes and post joke "stare" will always be remembered. Other then the time he could 1/2 my ear off (joke) I will always remember Dave - he was very good to me and all that knew him. Eric in California

Dave was a wonderful person and boss and will always have a special place in my heart.  Everyone at Dave's Dinkytown Hairstylists loved his laughter and generous spirit.  My thoughts and prayers are with the family.

Scott,
I am so sorry for your loss.  Your Dad was a gracious and great man.  He and I shared the same Birthday.  The gates have opened wide for him.
Linda Jones

Our families have been intertwined my whole life and I will truly miss Dave. I have so many great memories of Dave and Judy. At last, they are together smiling and laughing. My heart felt sympathy goes out to you.

I know Heaven will be a happier,funnier place with you there! I love you!

Dave was an excellent barber but also a great guy.  My father gave him a compliment when he commented to me 20+ years ago that my hair cut looked great (my father had been a barber himself for 65+ years).  
I always looked forward to my once every three week visit to Dave.  A good haircut but more importantly, we laughed the entire time I was in his chair.
Finding a good barber these days can be tough but its going to be even tougher to find someone who is as good a man as Dave was.  I'm really going to miss him.

While I have been out of state for many years I do fondly remember those visits to "Dave the Barber" back in the 70's.  Always left the shop still chuckling from the jokes and humor he contributed to my visit.  Oh yeah, to this day I have not received a better haircut (style).  The world will miss you Dave!

I remember in the 1970's when my parents, the late Knute & Mildred Johnson, of Blaine, would come over once-in-a-while to visit the Watts over coffee.
My condolences go out to the Watts family.

To Dave The Barber's Family, you can all now be at Peace, knowing your Dad/Grand Dad is no longer in pain. I loved knowing, laughing and there was a lot of laughing working with your dad. Your Dad touched hundreds of lives in many ways, he was more than just a Barber to all. Oh the stories I could tell, will be only great memories. As the saying goes, Dave was a cut above the rest. I miss him greatly.

David was an amazing man, always smiling and friendly, making a person feel as though they were the most important person on earth whenever he greeted them.

Kim, I remember when the whole family was over for dinner and asking you if your dad ever got angry. You thought about it for a minute and said, "no."  The only time I ever saw him angry at all was when someone he loved was done wrong by somebody.   

David and I go back to the early 60s when I waitressed at Gray's Drugstore fountain, a senior at Marshall High and he was barbering at Oscar's in Dinkytown.  David knew my whole life and my deepest secrets.  (Only your hairdresser (barber)knows for sure.)

I am grateful for the honor of being friends with your dad for so many years and for the many hours we shared.  

Dad, Mom, Grandma Gladys and Uncle Dick and others who have passed are having a family reunion right now.

God bless all of you and may He give you peace at this very difficult time in your lives.

My sincere condolences to you all. I always looked forward to my monthly visits to Dave's chair, both in his own shop and at Milo's. Conversation always flowed so easily with him -- because he was genuinely interested in people, always had the latest insider news about Dinkytown, and, of course, because of his wonderful sense of humor. I'll miss him a lot!

Dave's loved ones & friends,

I have known your dad since 1970 as my barber & friend.  He & I shared the same birthday 3-21, but I was ten years younger born in 1951.  I know many guys who had him as their barber for all those many years.  I will miss him greatly--I was fortunate to get two more haircuts from him as well as catch up with him when returned to work in Sept.  We went to a Twins game together with another friend & customer Chris D. on 9-10-12 and it was such nice time.  My condolences to all of you as you grieve the loss of your father, grandfather & friend to so many of us.

All the best to the Watts family. These are difficult times. Let Dave's  wonderful sense of humor shed light on the days ahead.

Dave is a great friend.  During 49 years of cutting my hair we shared all of life's events, both challenging and rewarding.  Even at last week's cut he was cheerful and gracious despite his current condition.  He never gave up his optimism.  I'll see you again some day Dave.  Hopefully my hair won't be too long by then.

Dave was my first (and long time) barber after I moved to Dinkytown in 1964. Dave and his partner Milo were my barbers and good friends until their recent retirements. I always enjoyed the trips back to the shop to see both of them and catch up on the latest Dinkytown and University of Minnesota news.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Dave's family. He spoke lovingly and often about all of you. Dave needed and appreciated the support that you gave him after Judy died. He loved you very much!

Had many haircuts by Dave starting in the late 1960's and continuing almost until he retired.  His wry sense of humor and smiling face always was a joy, and I looked forward to the next haircut.  He always talked proudly of his family and it was clear how much he loved them.  RIP Dave.  See you later!

Dear Scott, Kim, Curt, Laura, Grands & Great-Grands;

Amidst all the hurt & grief, I hope you can take comfort in that Dave was a tremendous blessing in all our lives. 

Dave was my confidante thru 40 + years of haircuts & beard trims. Intimate conversation abided, and great fun was had, whichever Dinkytown shop he was in. 

I'd stopped into the shop just past noon on Tuesday, and my heart sank with foreboding when I was told of his leave of absence.

From time of diagnosis & last year's departure from Milo's, I've been growing out my Locks of Love contribution in his honor. Dave's passing challenges us all now - in profound and simple ways...Hey, Dave! Who's gonna do the braiding & cutting? I'll see you at Vescio's, and we'll figure it out.

I loved your Dad, and I will always count him among my life's greatest loves and blessings.

Rubin Latz

Rest in peace Dave. See you again someday sir.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family

I didn't know you sadly, but you raised an amazing son so you must have been a very amazing fathre.... Be at peace and sing with the angels.  :-)

OBITUARY

David R. Watts

March 21, 1941 – October 30, 2012

Morningside Memorial Gardens

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