

He fought relentlessly for two years then finally succumbed with family by his side. Husband of Patricia, who predeceased him, and the father of Greg (Karen) and Scott (Maureen), he was a loving Papa to 8 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.
Born and raised in Clarksburg, West Virginia, to Charles and Carmen Newbrough, Rich was the youngest of four brothers and attended Bridgeport High. After high school, Rich enrolled at Fairmont State College where he had a distinguished run as quarterback on a championship football team, playing alongside his lifelong friend Tuffy Knight. Following college, he was commissioned an officer in the US Marine Corps during which he travelled throughout Southeast Asia. After military service, Rich reunited with Tuffy as a teacher and football coach at Crooksville High School of Ohio where they won a state championship.
After a stint in sales at Colgate Palmolive, Rich was lured to Canada and to Waterloo Lutheran University in 1968 by Tuffy and Fairmont State fraternity brother Fred Nichols. The Lutheran/Laurier athletic department would be home to Rich for 29 years, where he celebrated football championships, winning a Vanier Cup national title and recognized as Coach of the Year in 1991, while also supporting growth and the winning spirit across other men’s and women’s sports. The Golden Hawks and the broader university community became Rich’s extended family and it cannot be emphasized enough how much he cherished these relationships, which were keystones to his happiness and came to define the man he was.
After retirement, Rich travelled south for a period with Pat and enjoyed all of the spontaneous parties that were part of the daily routine. While his greatest achievement was being a Papa to his grandchildren, he also played golf, but wasn’t any good despite scoring a hole-in-one. He enjoyed cooking spaghetti and meatballs, making a pot of West Virginia hotdog chili, baking Belgian waffle cookies, and sipping a Wiser’s or a cold beer while puffing on a cigar. Dad truly had a wonderful life. But now, he’s taken that country road home, where he belongs. And he will be dearly missed. We would like to express a heartfelt thank you to Winston Park staff for taking extra special care of “Coach” during his last year.
A private visitation will be held this week followed by cremation. In the coming days, a celebration of life will be announced and in lieu of flowers, please send a donation to Wilfrid Laurier University Athletics. Arrangements entrusted to Westmount Memorial Celebration Centre, Kitchener, (519-743-8900). Online condolences at www.westmountfuneralchapel.com
DONS
Wilfrid Laurier University Athletics75 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON N2L 3C5
Partager l'avis de décèsPARTAGER
v.1.18.0