Background
Laetsch, Watson Mcmillan was born on January 19, 1933 in Bellingham, Washington, District of Columbia, United States. Son of Walter and Lillian Marie (Thompson) Laetsch.
Botanist university administrator
Laetsch, Watson Mcmillan was born on January 19, 1933 in Bellingham, Washington, District of Columbia, United States. Son of Walter and Lillian Marie (Thompson) Laetsch.
AB, Wabash College, 1955. Doctor of Philosophy, Stanford University, 1961. Postgraduate (Fulbright fellow), University Delhi, India, 1957.
Teaching assistant Stanford University, 1955-1956, 58-60. Teacher public schools Indianapolis, 1957-1958. Assistant professor biology State University of New York, Stony Brook, 1961-1963.
Assistant professor botany University California, Berkeley, 1963-1968, associate professor, 1968-1971, professor, since 1971. Director University Botanical Garden, 1969-1973. Associate director Lawrence Hall Science, 1969-1972, director, 1972-1980, vice-chancellor undergraduate affairs, since 1980.
Served with Army of the United States, 1958. Fellow California Academy of Sciences. Member American Botanical Society (chairman 1971-1973), American Society Plant Physiologists, Society Experimental Biology, Society Study Evolution, American Institute Biological Sciences, American Association for the Advancement of Science, Association Tropical Biology, American Association Museums, Association Science and Technology Centers (president 1977-1978), California Native Plant Society (president 1964-1965), Botanical Society California (president 1982), Sigma Xi, Kappa Sigma.
Married Sita Capildeo, April 15, 1958. Children: John, Krishen.