Russell Newman

Norman Russell Newman, age 74 of Old Fields, WV, passed this life on February 19, 2019 at the Grant Rehabilitation & Care Center in Petersburg, WV. Born on June 27, 1944 in Huntington, WV he was a son of the late Russell Dennis Newman and Ruby Murphy Newman. A brother, Bill (Laverne) also preceded him in death.

Surviving is his wife of 50 years, Susan Hott Newman; two daughters, Sue Ellen Rutherford (Ryan) of Strasburg, VA and Becky Yokum (Griff) of Upper Tract, WV.

Russell attended Wayne County WV High School and WV University graduating in 1967 with a B.S in Civil Engineering. He spent his entire career working in heavy construction, first with a private consulting firm on the second Chesapeake Bay Bridge connecting Annapolis, MD and the Eastern Shore and finishing with more than 30+ years with the Army Corps of Engineers at Jennings Randolph Lake near Elk Garden, WV.

After his retirement in 2001, Russ and Susan became snowbirds, spending the wintery months in Bradenton, FL, and the warm summer months in Moorefield. They travelled extensively both in the U.S. and abroad and thoroughly enjoyed their 18 years of retirement bliss. He often commented about what a charmed life he had led and with that in  mind gave his time freely to many organizations, trying to give back to the communities that had so richly rewarded  him throughout his life.

He served several terms as president of the Home Owners Association of the mobile home park where he lived in the winter; he served many years as vice-chairman then as chairman of the administrative council of Duffey Memorial United Methodist Church; and he has been on the board of directors of McCoy Theater for almost 30 years. An avid golfer with no talent for the game whatsoever, he still somehow became an unofficial leader of the Valley View Senior Golf League. He has often been heard to remark how Wednesday’s “Senior League” was his favorite day of the week.

Funeral Services will be conducted 11:00 AM Monday, February 25, 2019 at the Fraley Funeral Home Chapel, 107 Washington Street with Pastors Dan Sterns, Greg Rotruck & Russell Webster officiating. Interment will follow at the Olivet Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4 – 6 PM Sunday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be directed to the Burlington United Methodist Family Services, 120 Hope Lane, Burlington, WV26710; the Oakland Hall Preservation (at Valley View Golf Club), P.O. Box 61, Moorefield, WV 26836 or the American Cancer Society, 122 S High Street, Morgantown, WV 26501.