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Richard E. Newton
10/25/1943 — 09/27/2013
From Kennewick, WA, US | Born in Portland, OR
Richard E. Newton
Richard E. Newton, died in a motorcycle accident on Friday, September 27, 2013 at the age of 69.
Richard was born in Portland, Oregon, on October 25, 1943 to parents Earl and Gwendolyn Newton, both of which preceded him in death.
Richard is survived by his wife, Cathryn of 34 years. They were married in Oregon City, Oregon on August 4, 1979.
Richard is lovingly remembered by his wife, Cathryn of Kennewick, WA, sister, Diane of Vancouver, WA, son Michael, of Portland, Oregon, father and mother in law, Daniel and Martha Shepard of Portland, Oregon and many other family members and friends. Richard graduated from Franklin High School in Portland, Oregon. As a young man he dropped out of dental school, much to his father's chagrin, to join the navy and learn to fly. He never regretted that decision. Richard flew F8's off the USS Hancock in Vietnam. Later he enjoyed a 33 year career as a commercial airline pilot for United Airlines, retiring in 2003 as a 777 captain.
Along with flying for United, he obtained his Doctor of Optometry degree from Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR. While at Pacific, he met his future wife, Cathryn, who was an undergraduate at the time. The couple married in 1979 and settled in Richland, WA where Richard practiced optometry while continuing to fly for United. Richard and Cathryn also lived and worked in Parker, CO, Rancho Mirage, CA and Las Vegas, NV. They settled in their forever home in the hills above Kennewick, enjoying their retirement.
Earlier on, Richard loved bird hunting, always taking his beloved yellow labrador, Boomer, with him. He was an avid tennis player, loved the outdoors, hiking, camping and motorcycle riding. The camaraderie he loved and friendships he made were very important to him. He was never happier than when he was headed out to his next adventure. Richard was not religious, a close bond he shared with his father-in-law. He was loved by all that knew him and will be remembered as a moral and kind man, loving husband, father, and dear friend to so many.
Two services celebrating Richard's life will be held.
The first service will be held at Memories at Sunset Event Center on Saturday, October 5, 2013 at 3:00 P.M.; 915 By-Pass Hwy in Richland, WA.
The second service will take place at First United Methodist Church, Saturday, October 19, 2013 at 3:00 P.M.; 12555 SW 4th Street Beaverton, OR.
Richard will be missed by all…I played tennis with Richard and had some great life discussions over peanuts and beer after at the Pub. He will be dearly missed at the tennis courts. My sincere condolences to your family.
Dear Cathryn,
This news saddens me so much. It is such a loss for you, et al.
I’ve enjoyed our friendship and will miss his many e-mail jokes.
He was a great tennis partner, too.
I will be thinking of you for many days.
Take very good care of your good self in the stressful and painful days ahead.
Love, Penny
Dear Cathryn,
We are so very sorry for your loss. I remember Dick as a very kind and funny man who was enjoyable to be around! I know my Dad loved him dearly and will keep his memory alive with many goofy stories of their antics together. Take good care.
Love,
Jayme
Richard will be missed by all…I played tennis with Richard and had some great life discussions over peanuts and beer after at the Pub. He will be dearly missed at the tennis courts. My sincere condolences to your family.
Dear Cathryn,
This news saddens me so much. It is such a loss for you, et al.
I’ve enjoyed our friendship and will miss his many e-mail jokes.
He was a great tennis partner, too.
I will be thinking of you for many days.
Take very good care of your good self in the stressful and painful days ahead.
Love, Penny
Dear Cathryn,
We are so very sorry for your loss. I remember Dick as a very kind and funny man who was enjoyable to be around! I know my Dad loved him dearly and will keep his memory alive with many goofy stories of their antics together. Take good care.
Love,
Jayme
A dear friend who will be missed by everyone he has touched.
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I enjoyed many conversations with Dick at various motorcycle rallies. I will be out of town on Saturday, but my spirit will be with you.
Dick & Cathy were great neighbors here in Richland years ago. Our son loved to go play with “Boomer” and take care of him while they were out of town. Cathy, you have our heartfelt sympathy.
A great cousin and thoughtful individual. He will be missed.
We were an un-likely combination……….
He served in the Navy……
I served in the Army…….
He flew jets and soared high above the clouds……..
I flew helicopters and tried to stay beneath the clouds………
He drove a Dodge pick-up…..
Mine was a Ford ….
He liked to play the “duce court” in tennis right half
I liked the “add court” left half……………
Somebody said “you two should play together”…….
So, we did………..
For the past five years we were tennis buddies ……
Occasionally, as opponents, but most often as doubles partners…..
I think I can speak for all who were fortunate enough to team-up with him………
Our tennis wasn’t always championship form…….
But win or lose we always had a good time………
He was always the consummate gentleman……….
Always smiling… Always supportive…….
I feel very fortunate to call him friend, buddy, teammate, and tennis partner……
He will be missed…..
I met Dick when were going through United airlines initial new hire training. For three months, Dick helped me during training. Later on,we ended up in Denver together. During that time, Dick graciously let my family of 4 move in with him ,while our house was being built. I again was reminded what a great friend gracious person he was. We will miss him and our hearts are with Cathy.God Bless. Doug & Judy
Dear Catherine,
Barbara and I have been filled with sadness since hearing about the passing of Dick. We have so many wonderful memories of time spent together with you two. Dick was a dear friend and a delight as my doubles partner for so many years. We had so many great days together on the court.
As with so many other people, we miss this dear man but are so fortunate to have known the both of you and to have been friends.
Bob and Barbara
THIS IS VERY SAD FOR ME. I DO NOT KNOW IF YOU REMEMBER BUT I RENTED A ROOM FROM DICK IN LITTLETON FOR A YEAR OR SO WHEN HE FIRST CAME BACK TO UAL AFTER HIS FURLOUGH. ONE OF HIS “RIDER” FRIENDS IN KENNEWICK IS MY NEPHEW PERRY LAMPREY. GREAT GUY AND I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HIS GOOD NATURE AND BIG SMILE.
JIM
My Dear Catherine:
How very sad we are to hear the news about Dick. We share so many great memories of the two of you, both in Denver and Rancho Mirage. Flying for the Navy, our careers with United Airlines and tennis made us real buddies. We will sincerely miss that fine gentleman and true friend. Our hearts and thoughts go out to you at this time. Love from Bill and Donna
Richard and I flew 737’s in Denver.Flying with him was the finest experience in my 33 years with UAL.
Our friendship continued thereafter and will never end.
Catherine , I am so sorry to hear about Dick’s passing. Dick and I knew each other at UAL. We use to joke, that even though I was 6 months senior to him he was far better off in that he was 10 months younger than me. We did play tennis-doubles- together once at the tennis center in Denver. We had a great time even though we lost. Dick was an amazing individual. I knew him to be a quiet professional who always displayed a warm smile and a healthy handshake. Warmest condolences,
Ron Blash,
Lake Oswego OR
Cathryn,
When Ron Blash sent me a note, I immediately recognized Dick’s name from my old United days. I retired just a few years before he did, and I always remember what a friendly and genuinely “nice” guy he was. May he rest in peace.:-
What a shock to hear of Dick’s passing. My heart just goes out to you, Catherine. I will never forget the wonderful times we shared… too bad they have become fewer in recent years. You and Dick joining us for Bill’s last trip with UAL just made the celebration as he was always Bill’s first choice of crew and tennis partner. Be strong and grateful for your years together.
I met Richard playing tennis at the TC Court Club. He will be missed by all of his tennis buddies at the club. He was a friend, a fierce competitor and a great guy. He loved tennis and he loved his motorcycle. And yes he enjoyed a beer and conversation with his friends at the Pub. It was a honor to count Richard as a friend. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.
I know Richard from playing tennis. Generally I play once a week and sometimes you can go away pretty frustrated. However, I always knew when playing with or against Richard that it would be a fun and enjoyable match, regardless of the outcome or skill displayed on that night. Beer and conversation at the Pub afterward was always fun as well. I will miss him.
I remember Mr. Newton as a boy when he played his guitar and I heard him sing “If I had a hammer, I’d hammer in the morning, I’d hammer in the evening and all over this land..”
He also fitted my first pair of contact lenses at Pacific University School of Optometry in Forest Grove, Oregon.
I always liked the man.
The Bill Park Goat Hill Classic can never be the same without you, Dick. You enriched every moment of it with your presence.
It was a pleasure to have met Richard at an event celebrating an activity he loved so well-my condolences to his friends and family
As a friend and fellow pilot, Dick was one of the very best!!! And one of only a couple of guys you never wanted to lose contact with.
He will be sorely missed and I cannot imagine the loss this is to his lovely wife Catherine! Much love to her.
Guestbook for
Richard E. Newton