Ed Watkins, an automotive mechanic in Elon's Physical Plant department, died Friday evening in a boating accident at Farmer's Lake in Caswell County. A Gathering of Friends in memory of Watkins will be held on Tuesday, April 22, in the Numen Lumen Pavilion.
Below is an email from President Lambert with more information:
Dear members of the Elon community,
With deep sadness, I write to inform you of the death of Ed Watkins, an auto mechanic in Elon's Physical Plant department. Mr. Watkins died Friday evening in a boating accident at Farmer's Lake in Caswell County. He was fishing with James Moore, an Elon groundskeeper, when their boat overturned. Mr. Moore was able to swim to safety and call 911, but Mr. Watkins drowned. Another Elon Physical Plant employee, Brian Chandler, who is a volunteer fireman, was first on the scene of the accident, but was unable to revive Mr. Watkins.
Ed is the son of Margie Watkins, a program assistant in Greek Life. He had been an Elon staff member since 2007 and was known as a dedicated worker and friendly colleague.
Plans are being made for a Gathering of Friends in memory of Mr. Watkins at 9 a.m., Tuesday, April 22, in the Numen Lumen Pavilion. The previously announced College Coffee event on Tuesday to recognize our Physical Plant staff will be postponed until a later date.
Those who knew Ed and would like to reach out for help in dealing with this tragedy should contact Elon's counseling staff, which is on call throughout this weekend and can be reached through our campus dispatcher at 336.278.5555.
This tragedy touches the lives of a great many people across the campus. Please reach out to them with your support. Our prayers are with each one, and especially with the family of Ed Watkins.
Leo M. Lambert
President