John Goodrich Watkins
17 March 1913 – 12 January 2012
John Goodrich Watkins was Professor of Psychology and Director of Clinical Training at the University of Montana from 1964 to 1984. He was also the author of over 190 academic articles and 11 books, including General Psychology (1960), The Therapeutic Self (1977), Hypnotherapeutic Techniques (1987), Ego States: Theory and Therapy (1997), and a fascinating book of short stories named Adventures in Human Understanding (2001).
Born March 17, 1913 in Salmon, Idaho to parents who were both educators and teachers, young “Jack” was fascinated by academics from an early age. His first interest was astronomy, and as a fourteen-year-old he made regular contributions to the Association of Variable Start Observers of which he was the youngest member. After giving a presentation to Astronomy classes at the College of Idaho, he was written up in the local newspaper as a “boy wonder”. Harvard University lent him a large telescope to assist in his research.
After receiving BS and MS degrees from the University of Idaho, Jack taught high school and was responsible for seven subjects, including music, science, math, band, and glee club. “In those days if you had a college degree it was assumed you knew everything, so I could get away with it as long as I stayed one chapter ahead of my students,” he once remembered.
He eventually earned his PhD at Columbia University. Combining psychology with a lifelong passion for music (in particular, Dixieland jazz), his dissertation became the Watkins-Farnum standardized achievement test, which was published and is still widely used by bandleaders for evaluating musical proficiency and determining chair position. After getting his PhD, he worked as an assistant professor at Ithaca College in New York, and 2 years later as a professor at Auburn University in Alabama.
When America entered WW II in 1941, Jack felt the general patriotism and wanted to serve his country. He first applied to the Navy but failed the eye exam, so the next day he enlisted as a Buck Private in the army. After basic training, his educational background became known and he was promoted to Lieutenant, then given the position of chief psychologist at the Welch Convalescent military hospital in Daytona Beach, Florida. Three years later when the war ended, he was discharged as a First Lieutenant with an award for Meritorious Service. He then taught at Washington State College as an associate professor, was chief psychologist at the VA Hospitals in Chicago and Portland Oregon, eventually coming to Missoula as a full professor.
Academically he is best known for his work in the areas of hypnosis, dissociation, and multiple personalities. With his wife, Helen Watkins, he developed ego-state therapy, which uses hypnosis to analyze underlying personalities rather than traditional talk therapy to find the causes of psychological problems. The most famous example of the use of ego-state therapy was the interrogation of the Hillside Strangler, in which he solicited a confession by revealing the killer’s multiple personalities.
In addition to psychology, Dr. Watkins also loved music. In the 1930’s he played upright bass in various dance bands. He had a rare euphonium baritone which he played in Missoula’s Town and Gown Dixieland band, and later on learned to play the vibraphone at age 80.
Dr. Watkins was 98 years old when he died while taking a nap Thursday morning, Jan 12. He is survived by his children John Dean, Jonette Alison, Richard Douglas, Gregory Keith, Rodney Phillip, and ten grandchildren.
Services will be held 10:00 AM Thursday, Jan 19, 2011, at Garden City Funeral Homes,
1705 West Broadway, Missoula, MT 59808.
If you would like to help continue his legacy, please send a donation in his name to ESTI (Ego State Therapy International – details below). Dr. Watkins discussed at length, the benefits of creating this new organization with Wally Hartman (president of ESTI / email address: info@meisa.co.za) just last month! The primary function of this organization it to advance research and to coordinate training of professionals in the field of ego-state therapy worldwide. Ultimately, Dr. Watkins’ wish was to support a methodology that can also help clients to resolve personal issues and trauma in the most efficient manner.
Richard & Marlene Watkins (Son and daughter-in-law)
8258 Greenwood Place
Longmont CO 80503
United States of America
BANKING DETAILS
Account Name: ESTI (Ego State Therapy International)
Name of the bank: Raiffeisenbank NÖ-SÜD Alpin eGen
Bank Address: 2870 Aspang, Bahnstraße 3, Austria, Europe
IBAN: AT733219500030168868
SWIFT: RLNWATWWASP
