Losing One of Our Own: Richard Newton 1944-2017
Naples, FL -- Richard Newton's excellent work graced our pages beginning with the 10.3 May/June 2010 issue, his "Newton's Law" column on a variety of technical topics one of our most popular with our readers. We're sad to report that Richard passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of June 19 with his wife of 40 years, Elizabeth, at his side.
VM readers will miss Richard Newton's popular column.
Richard was born in Flint, Mich., apropos since that town was the initial birthplace of the Corvette, a brand that would come into Richard's life in a big way in his later years.
He graduated from Michigan State University with a PhD in Education in 1970. From there he taught at Temple University, in Philadelphia, PA for 10 years, specializing in Secondary Education and further participating in Fulbright programs in Egypt and Nigeria.
By the 1980s Richard began writing articles for automotive publications, with a focus on Corvettes, because he loved them. In total he authored 10 books such as "Corvette Restoration Guide 1963-67" and hundreds of articles, eventually becoming the editor of Corvette Fever magazine. But his passion for Corvettes also extended to a love of Porsches, and he could discuss the subject in depth with the experts.
Over the years he had much involvement with car clubs and participated in solo events, driving schools and even the ChumpCar World Series. He was also a docent at The Revs Institute in Naples, Fla. Last December he attended Frank Hawley's Drag Racing School in Gainesville, Fla., always learning and trying out new things, a dragster something he always wanted to try.
Richard was an editor's dream, full of interesting ideas to pursue and always prompt with his work, a positive influence in every regard. I will miss those phone calls with his, "Hi Randy, Richard here," knowing that his mind had been working overtime, eager to present me with a topic for his latest column.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Cliford. There are no services planned; contributions in his memory may be made to Avow Hospice, 1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples, FL 34105.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and many friends.
--D. Randy Riggs
Naples, FL -- Richard Newton's excellent work graced our pages beginning with the 10.3 May/June 2010 issue, his "Newton's Law" column on a variety of technical topics one of our most popular with our readers. We're sad to report that Richard passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of June 19 with his wife of 40 years, Elizabeth, at his side.
VM readers will miss Richard Newton's popular column.
Richard was born in Flint, Mich., apropos since that town was the initial birthplace of the Corvette, a brand that would come into Richard's life in a big way in his later years.
He graduated from Michigan State University with a PhD in Education in 1970. From there he taught at Temple University, in Philadelphia, PA for 10 years, specializing in Secondary Education and further participating in Fulbright programs in Egypt and Nigeria.
By the 1980s Richard began writing articles for automotive publications, with a focus on Corvettes, because he loved them. In total he authored 10 books such as "Corvette Restoration Guide 1963-67" and hundreds of articles, eventually becoming the editor of Corvette Fever magazine. But his passion for Corvettes also extended to a love of Porsches, and he could discuss the subject in depth with the experts.
Over the years he had much involvement with car clubs and participated in solo events, driving schools and even the ChumpCar World Series. He was also a docent at The Revs Institute in Naples, Fla. Last December he attended Frank Hawley's Drag Racing School in Gainesville, Fla., always learning and trying out new things, a dragster something he always wanted to try.
Richard was an editor's dream, full of interesting ideas to pursue and always prompt with his work, a positive influence in every regard. I will miss those phone calls with his, "Hi Randy, Richard here," knowing that his mind had been working overtime, eager to present me with a topic for his latest column.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Cliford. There are no services planned; contributions in his memory may be made to Avow Hospice, 1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples, FL 34105.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and many friends.
--D. Randy Riggs
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