Longtime Ketchum resident Pete Watson, 59, passed away on Aug. 18, 2017.

Pete was born April 17, 1958, in Newport Beach, Calif., and moved to Ketchum in the autumn of 1963 with his parents and older brother, Tom. The Watsons lived a migratory lifestyle—spending their summers surfing and diving at San Onofre and their winters skiing in Ketchum.

Pete loved living in this community. He graduated from Wood River High School in 1976. After attending college, he ran his own yard maintenance business in Ketchum. Pete was most passionate about skiing and teaching. He worked for the Sun Valley SnowSports School as a ski instructor for more than 20 years. Considered one of Sun Valley’s finest instructors, he was respected by his loyal clients and his fellow instructors.

Pete’s love of the outdoors remained unwavering throughout his life. Whether he was racing downhill or cross-country for the Sun Valley Ski Team, making the perfect turn on Baldy, free-diving in Baja, playing beach volleyball at San Onofre or riding his dirt bike on the trails of the Wood River Valley, you always knew that you could find him outside.

Pete was preceded in death by his father, Fritz Watson. He is survived by his mother, Jackie Watson; his brother, Tom; his nephews, Max and Wiley; and a host of friends he would call family. Pete will be missed by his family and friends and we will all remember his kindness and warm smile.

A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, Oct. 6, at the Sun Valley River Run Lodge. Contributions in memory of Pete may be made to the American Heart Association at www.heart.org.

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