Richard D. Newton

NEWTON RICHARD DREW NEWTON (Age 92) USMCR (Ret.) Died April 13, 2010 in Harwich, MA. Mr. Newton was born in Worcester, MA, resided in Auburn, MA until 1951. He graduated in 1st Class (1936) of Auburn H.S. Then enrolled in Wentworth Institute of Technology where he was Class of ''41 and ''42 President as well as President of the Student Council. After Wentworth he earned a BA in Business Administration and a BS attending Becker College, MIT, Ohio Christian, U of OK and U of NC with graduate work while in the military and CIA. Newton flew twin-engine bombers during WWII in the South Pacific, leaving service as a Major with military honors. He flew a variety of single & multi-engine aircraft, military and personal, and was licensed as a commercial pilot. He was a Master-rated hang glider pilot (oldest Master rated Pilot in 1984 in the U.S.); Director of National Aeronautic Association and U.S.H.G.A. and President of the Capitol Hang Glider Association. Before joining the CIA, he worked as a restaurant manager, machinist, insurance salesman, engineer and for an oil company. Served 27 years with CIA (US & O/S) as Base Commander in classified projects such as the U-2 (with commendations), Deputy Director, Admin Officer and Manager. Retired in 1977 and established a Christmas Tree Farm in Marshall, VA, then moved to Chatham, MA on the Cape in 1986 splitting his time between Cape Cod and Ellenton, FL. He was an Eagle Scout, a Committeeman, active in the Lions, member Chatham Airport Pilots Assoc. and a volunteer pilot for the Angel Flight charity. An avid athlete, he enjoyed golf, skiing, ice skating, biking, rollerblading and tennis (which he was still doing in his 80''s), but most of all he loved hang gliding, and was still at it in his 70''s. He was preceded in death by his wife, June M. (Bjurstrom) Newton, who died in 2004. They were married for 58 years. Survivors include two daughters, Cheryl Newton Harrod of Vienna, VA and Donna Lee Eldred of Grenada; and a son, Craig Charles Newton of Manassas, VA; four grandchildren, four great grandchildren, three nieces and four nephews, including Douglas Stone of Northborough, MA, who Richard considered "a son". A memorial service will be held on Sunday, July 18, 2010 in Chatham, MA - details will be posted in the Cape Cod Times and Worcester Telegram at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to either Wentworth Institute Scholarship Funds, 550 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02115 or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 9 Erie Drive, Natick, MA 01760.