Nathaniel Bartlett Atwater Sr., age 85, of Little Compton, Rhode Island, died on February 11, 2021.

He was born on January 26, 1936, to David Hay Atwater and Eleanor Bartlett Atwater in Tiverton, Rhode Island.

Mr. Atwater attended Brown University where he earned BA and MA degrees. Later he earned a PhD in Medieval Literature from Exeter University in Exeter, England.  He taught English at UMass Dartmouth and retired in 1991.

He married Bertha Hekma Wierda and they had two children, Dora and Nate.

After his retirement, he enjoyed working in his vegetable garden, Indian artifact hunting and fishing from his dory.  He served two terms as the President of the Little Compton Historical Society.

Mr. Atwater is survived by his wife, daughter, son, sister, Sally Ann; son-in-law, Dudley Millikin; daughter-in-law, Heather Hild Atwater; two grandsons, Nathaniel and Herbert; and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life and interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: The Little Compton Historical Society, P.O. Box 577, Little Compton, RI 02837. 

To leave a note of condolence, www.waring-sullivan.com.