Aldo Watkins

At Twin City Spin, 2022

Alfred Homer Watkins
AKA Aldo Harrison
AKA Grreybear
15 Feb 1949 - 26 Oct 2024

Clubs & Associations

Lone Star Lambdas
Moonshine Dancers
Running Bear Squares
Wilde Bunch

Medallion Dancer

2017 | 10 Year Medallion at Palm Springs Swing & Mix 2017

Obituary

Alfred Homer Watkins was born in Chicago, Illinois on February 15, 1949. He grew up in the Princeton Park community on the South Side. It was a nurturing community with townhouses, churches, great schools, nice neighbors, and open park spaces. In spite of that, he always called it “prison park”.

Alfred’s parents were Rosa and Homer Watkins. He grew up with an older brother and an older sister, David and Olivia. Alfred’s maternal grandmother, also named Rosa, lived in the community. They were very close. Alfred attended the local elementary schools, (Gillespie or Drew?) and Harlan High School, where he excelled in his studies and was very active in gymnastics and track and field. After graduation, Alfred spent his first two years of college at the University of Illinois, Chicago, now called UIC. Back in those days it was called University of Illinois, Chicago Circle Campus.

Alfred transferred to University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign for his junior year and quickly got involved with courses such as speech and theatre, and German. Yes. German, which he had taken in high school and even spent some time in Lawrence, KS at an immersion camp one summer. Alfred met Bernard Turner in the weekly conversation group at U of I called Kaffeestunde. They were two of the very few blacks in upper-level German classes, so they naturally started hanging out and, of course, practicing their German language skills.

Kaffeestunde is still a thing at U of I to this day: Join us for Kaffeestunde! | Department of Germanic Languages & Literatures | Illinois

Like other U of I students, Alfred loved to explore the cities of Champaign and Urbana and met some interesting people and visited some great social spots. No details here 😊.

Alfred had a great career after college working for Eastern Airlines in Oak Brook, IL, in various positions. One of the perks of working for an airline, was that you got to go on “fam” trips to various places. Alfred really took advantage of those opportunities, traveling to places in Europe, Central America and South America. When Alfred and Bernard were roommates on the north side, they traveled together to places like Mexico and Guatemala. They shared many adventures and stories that they reminisced on throughout the years.

Alfred always had a bucket list of places he wanted to visit. One of those places was Egypt to see the pyramids. Because of the unrest in the Middle East, he never made it there.

One thing Alfred, or Aldo or Al-fro excelled in was sewing. He took his sewing machine with him everywhere he lived and spent lots of time going to fabric stores with his mom and designing clothes. That could have been a great career with some luck and good connections.

Other career opportunities took Aldo to Miami, FL, Houston and Austin, TX, where he eventually retired as a technical writer. One thing that was a constant in his life was square dancing. It was something he learned in high school that he always enjoyed. He traveled all around the country to the annual square-dancing events and conferences and was pretty good at it.

Alfred is survived by his sister, Olivia, and niece Courtney, who live in St. Louis, MO.
— Bernard Turner, Executive Director, Bronzeville-Black Metropolis National Heritage Area

Remembrances

Aldo transitioned to the next stage this afternoon. His beloved niece, Courtney, was with him and it was very peaceful.
— Georgian Spata

I learned today that our friend Aldo Harrison died, after a short time in hospice. He had been struggling with a number of health problems - too many - for several years. He was a wonderful man with a remarkable spirit. And I loved dancing with him!
I will miss him tremendously. RIP, dear friend.
— Bennet Marks

I just heard that a square dance friend, Aldo Harrison, has passed away after a very long illness. Rest in Peace my friend!
— Ross Crawshaw-Lopton

I am saddened to learn that one of the dearest men I have ever known has left this earthly plane.
RIP Aldo Harrison.
— Greg Croushorn

So very sorry to hear this. Aldo was such good friend to so many and will be truly missed
— Chris Phillips

Sad to find out that Aldo Watkins has passed away after a very long illness. He was such a trooper. Knew him way back in his "Dancecub" days on LiveJournal, and for years as a square dancer. R.I.P.
— Bill Eyler

So sorry to hear this. Sleep well Aldo.
— John Mckinstry

Aldo was the sweetest, nicest soul I've ever met in square dancing. His gentle and kind nature always brought joy to everyone around him. Seeing his name always made me smile, but hearing of his passing fills me with sadness. Rest in peace, Aldo. You will be deeply missed.
— Jeff Andresen