Robert Newell, 82

Robert Kenneth Newell of Portage, died July 19, 2007 at the age of 82, surrounded by his family. He was born December 10, 1924 in Chicago, son of Kenneth Earl and Frances Mary (Fowler) Newell. He spent the summers growing up at Corey Lake near Three Rivers. Following graduation from Hyde Park High School in Chicago in January 1943, his number came up. He joined the Army Air Force taking Officer’s Training at Jefferson Barracks, MO graduating as a Second Lieutenant. He took his flight training at Lubbock Field, TX. After discharge in 1945, he returned to a farm north of Three Rivers that his father had purchased during the War and began farming. He received a degree in Agriculture at Michigan State University, later serving on their advisory board for several years. On November 29, 1949, he married Helen Marjorie Teeters at the First Presbyterian Church in Three Rivers. Helen died August 2, 1971. The Newells raised six children on the farm that is still in the family. One daughter, Marjorie (Randy) Tien died in a farm accident in 2003. Robert Newell is survived by two daughters, Rebecca McInerney of Three Rivers and Sally (Paul) Carpenter of Brookfield, Wisconsin, and three sons, William (Carol) Newell of Marcellus, Kenneth Newell and Robert E. (Cindy) Newell of Three Rivers. His eight grandchildren include Cory (Kristin) Carpenter, Kip Carpenter, David (Janet) Newell, Jason (Kelli) Newell, Betsy Tien, Ellie Tien Helen Newell, and Amy Newell. Both Carpenter boys were members of U.S. Olympic Speed Skating teams in successive years, Kip winning the Bronze medal in Salt Lake City in 2002. Robert Newell is also survived by one sister, Virginia Jacobowitz of Kalamazoo, nieces, nephews, cousins and special friend, Betty Newhouse. Mr. Newell worked for several years at the Three Rivers Commercial as Managing Editor in the 1960’s and then as a Public Relations Manager at the Three Rivers office of American Electric Power. He retired in 1989 then moved to his home in Portage in 1993. Robert Newell spent many summers on his boat moored at Saugatuck. He was a member of the Peoples (U/U) Church in Kalamazoo, the Portage YMCA, the Portage Eagles, the Saugatuck Marine Yacht Club, and the St Joe Valley Old Engine Association. He loved to dance and to play jazz piano in small dance bands, and for family and friends. Cremation has taken place. Family and friends will gather, celebrating the life of Robert, at A Place in Time, 53 Railroad Drive, Three Rivers, MI 49093 on Thursday, August 9, 2007 from 4 to 7 PM. Burial of Ashes will take place in Riverside Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials are being directed to Heartland Hospice, 8075 Creekside Dr., Suite 120 Portage, MI 49024.  Arrangements are being handled by the Eickhoff, Farrand, Halverson Chapel in Three Rivers.