He was born in Webster, NY, on October 6 1924, but his love affair with Youngstown State University and the Youngstown area almost makes him qualify as a native son.
A 1942 graduate of Webster High School, he served in the US Navy (Pacific Theater) from 1943-46 during World War II, enrolling at YSU immediately after the war. He is a 1949 graduate of YU where he earned his Bachelor of Engineering degree, majoring in Mechanical Engineering.
Always in the middle of lending a hand to get things done, Frank Watson has been a driving force behind many athletic and non-athletic endeavors at Youngstown State University and his behind the scenes help has allowed the University to grow by leaps and bounds over the years.
His "get involved" attitude has led him to the presidency of the Youngstown Welding and Engineering Company, a post that he held from 1959 to 1988. From 1989 to 1991, he has served as the City Manager for the City of Canfield.
A member of the Canfield United Methodist Church, his extra curricular activities include Director of the Dollar Savings and Trust Company, the Ohio Bancorp and Ohio Edison Company (Akron, Ohio). He served as a Board of Trustee at YSU from 1978 to 1987, was a member of the Board of Education/Canfield School District from 1967 to 1975, as well as serving as a trustee for the Youngstown Hospital Association (1968 to 1980) and the Youngstown YMCA.
He is a past President of the Greater Youngstown Area Chamber of Commerce (1964-65), but perhaps one of his greatest dreams was realized when he served as the Campaign General Chairman of the YSU All-Sports Complex-a committee which helped to raise funds for the $16,000,000 home of the Penguins' athletic teams which was opened on September 4, 1982.
Some of his other memberships include Western Star #21 FAM Masonic lodge, 33rd degree Scottish Rite Mason (Valley of Youngstown), Al Koran Shrine Club (Cleveland, Ohio), president of the Duquesne Hunting and Fishing Club (1970 to present), while also belonging to the Castalia Trout Club (Castalia OH), American Society of Naval Engineers, and the American Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers.
Married to the former Norma Jean Hitchcock, they are the parents of three children, Janet, Ellen and David, and four grandchildren.
