All my sincere condolences to Dr. Newman's family: 
Dr. Newman was my thesis advisor and mentor when I was a graduate student at The Pennsylvania State University. But most of all, I felt that throughout my time at the university, he cared for my welfare and for my future success in my chosen field.
Of all the professors that I've studied under, he was one of the very few who have had a major influence on my career and life. His analytical skill and astute observation was beyond reproach. I have and shall always hold the highest regard and respect for Dr. Newman.
Clifford W. Moy
Rockville, Maryland

I met Mike when studying and working in Pennsylvania during 1966-69. It was he who got me my first professional job with the State Planning Board in Harrisburgh, even though I took only one regional economics seminar with him at Penn State University. We have kept in annual contact ever since and I regret that my final email letter was sent just 5 days after he died and not 5 days before.
Mike and I exchanged views on many world and national events from our different geographical perspectives in Washington and Bristol, UK but we shared many common dispositions and attitudes. We also kept each other posted on our respective families and I know how much his nieces and grand-nieces occupied his life and thoughts. Family matters assumed an increasing part of our exchanges as we grew older.
Having the advantage of reading the messages posted by others, I would like to confirm Mike's generosity and sense of humour and to add for the record, the range of his practical skills. He was not only a respected academic and government official, first in North Carolina and later as head of the Appalachian Regional Planning Commission. Mike was also a trained electrician and these old skills were put to good use when he volunteered in 2012 to help inspect and replace domestic power entry boxes and breakers damaged by the second worst storm he had ever witnessed. He also spent much of his retirement helping not just his extended family but also others less fortunate than us, teaching in schools and working in a local food bank, for example.
My wife Anne and I were lucky enough to spend several days with Mike in his Silver Springs apartment in May 2008. Being 14 years younger than him, I had expected to find a man of diminished stature. What a wonderful surprise it was to witness the impact of his regular gym visits, as you can see from the photograph taken then. It is a blessing that his end was swift and to my knowledge, unaffected by gradual mental or physical decline.
His passing is fresh in my mind today having just discovered his obituary on-line. I am sorry that I did not find out sooner the reason for his silence this Christmas.

My fondest memories with Monroe involve spending a week in Sag Harbor with him, Rita, and Joanna.  Rita and Monroe together during that time was a blessing for me I will have for the rest of my life- two amazing people in the same room whose kind hearts, warm smiles, and passionate ideas have influenced all those who knew them in ways they probably never realized!

This is what I said on the 17th at his memorial service.  It is only a very brief reminiscence of someone I loved so very much.
My name is Ellen Solow Holzman, and I am Monroe Newman's oldest niece.  Monroe always seemed young to me, which is not surprising when you consider both his youthful appearance—right up to the end—and the way his wry humor and always creative slant on life made him seem intellectually youthful as well.  But in addition, he was in his teens when I was born.  He was a freshman at Antioch College in October of 1946 when he lined up at the post office for his mail and was handed a telegram.  Excited and happy, he turned to the student in line behind him and exclaimed, “My sister Rita had her baby!”  
“We should celebrate,” said the young woman, and so they did, sharing a banana split, which ever after became their way of celebrating life events, because she was Ruth, the love of his life.  He told me that he felt a special bond with me, since I was the means of his meeting Ruth.  And I felt a special bond with him.  He seemed more like a big brother or older cousin than like an uncle, and his visits to us and ours to him were always fun.  I remember him telling me, quite seriously, that he and Ruth were able to drive from Illinois for a visit because their car, which he called “Old Betsy,” was equipped with its own toilet.  I peered through the window, wondered where he hid it!  
One memorable winter holiday when we were in our early teens, my brother Peter, my cousin Richard and I took the train ourselves to visit him and Ruth.  We went to The Folly, the small cabin they rented—with a 100 year lease—from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and warmed ourselves by the pot-bellied stove after playing in the snow and taking a ride in a one-horse open sleigh.  Really.  
The Folly also allowed him to give scope to his ability to build, as he and Ruth made many improvements to the cottage themselves.  He was quite handy with tools, and I remember one visit to our home when he helped us install a fence.
The last long visit I made to him was about six years ago—though of course I've seen him since—when we went on various excursions about the DC area, including to his gym, to the Newseum, which he knew I would like because of my interest in journalism, and to Alexandria, Virginia, where we decided that ice cream made a perfectly respectable lunch.  I remember thinking that people looking at us would see us as of the same generation, and they would not have been far off.  He was someone I could talk to in a way I don't talk to anyone else, and he would talk to me, too.
It is hard to believe that I won't ever again spend time with him in his car talking and talking, won't ever be able to dial his number and hear his glad cry, “Well, hello, Ellen dear!”  Though he and Ruth were, unfortunately, never able to have children, he forged links with his nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and great-grand-nieces and nephews that are precious to us all.  We miss you, Unc!

Mike was my mentor and dissertation adviser at Penn State. It took me five years of being his friend before I could call him Mike. He didn't make it hard I just respected this dear man so much that calling him Mike was like addressing God as dude. He had taught me how to think analytically and critically. He inspired me to be as passionate about teaching economics as he was. I was very fortunate to have made a visit to see him this last November. He was my best friend for 45 years.

                     Jim Doyle, Ph.D. Economics, The Pennsylvania State University

We met  Mike and Ruth in 1982 in Sardinia. When we moved to the DC area a few years thereafter we became very close to him and so remained since. During all this time we had the opportunity to enjoy Mike's beautiful qualities: righteousness, compassion and a great sense of humour. We will always keep him in our hearts.

Mike was more than a friend to me, he was like an Uncle. I first got to know him first as a child in Arlington, and will always cherish the fond memories of us all together, as well as his sense of humour and smile. However it wasn't until I became an adult, that I truly appreciated what an amazing man he was. I look at Mike as an example of success, both on a professional and above all personal level, which is a combination that is becoming increasingly rare in the world. Thanks for all that you did for me. I will miss you forever.

Mike was such a wonderful person and I love him very much. He was rare. I feel fortunate to have met him.  May all the seeds of goodness he planted in others' hearts continue to flourish. That will be the best way to carry his memory. Sylvie Liner, France

Dr. Newman changed my life while visiting the university I was attending in Italy. He encouraged me to pursue graduate studies in the US and referred me to the Economics Department at Penn State. I followed his advice and after my PhD had lots of opportunities in the US. We kept in touch in the years and he was always happy to talk, particularly about economics and his nephews and nieces. I will always be grateful to him. Heartfelt condolences to his family.

Mr. Newman had an eloquent manner of speaking and a gentle intelligence to him that I treasured so much.  He was my grandparents' dear friend and he will be missed by all of us in our family.  Cheers, Mr. Newman.  You are one of a kind!

Mike was a very dear friend and he was remarkable.  I loved Mike and I loved his sense of humor.  My thoughts and prayers are with his family. 
Bonnie Durham

Mike was a remarkable man, an exceptional academic and professional with an admirable value system, very sensitive and with a great sense of humor.  I had known him for over 30 years; throughout this period our cooperation, friendship and discussions were very valuable to me and I will cherish them.  I was very heartened and privileged that we spent some time together during my visit to Washington a few weeks ago. He will be missed and he will always be remembered.

Andreas Theophanous
Nicosia, Cyprus

I knew Monroe through Charlotte and David Jacobs and had the pleasure of joining the Jacobs and Monroe for dinner at their home on many occasions.  Monroe was a true gentleman who had a great impact on many people's lives.  May he rest in eternal peace.  My condolences to his family.

My sincere condolences to the family. It is a pleasure to have known Mike.  May he rest in paradise.

May the love and support of family and friends along with prayers see you through this difficult time

May our God of all comfort and peace be with your family during this time of sadness.

OBITUARY

Monroe Oscar Newman

31 January, 1929 – 13 December, 2014

Joseph Gawler’s Sons, LLC

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services