Carter Newton MD

Carter Newton MD
 September 23, 1946 - April 4, 2026

In 2024, Carter was diagnosed with cancer. With characteristic grace and gratitude, Carter faced his illness without complaint, often expressing how fortunate he felt to have lived such a full and beautiful life. He continued to support others, remain present with friends, and live meaningfully throughout his treatment.

Carter was born at Brooke General Hospital on Joint Base San Antonio-Ft. Sam Houston, Texas.
Carter Newton Sr. returned from Europe, where he was a decorated WWII navigator pilot having completed 35 missions, and he married the love of his life, Patricia McBride. They welcomed their first child, Frederick Carter Newton Jr., and called him 'Ricky' for many years.

Ricky grew up a happy boy, beloved by his parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends. He began life in Texas, moving to Tacoma,Washington and later to Ohio. At age five, Ricky and his mother Pat sailed across the Atlantic on the Queen Elizabeth to join Colonel Newton in France, where he was working on the Marshall Plan to help rebuild Europe. Ricky attended grade school in France, learned to speak French and played with his French mates for four years. The family returned to the United States, and lived in Alabama and Mississippi. In the American South, Ricky learned hard lessons about poverty. He often recalled classmates came to school barefoot, because their families could not afford shoes. Those experiences deeply affected him as a boy and shaped his concerns for the rest of his life.

'Carter' attended high school in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, where he had wonderful teachers and coaches and, made lifelong friends. He was on the swim team and served as class president during his Senior year.

He went on to Stanford University, and spent a semester abroad in Florence, Italy, where he developed a love of the Italian language and the country itself, and continued to spend time in Italy throughout his life. As an award recipient of a program in college, Carter was invited to spend time in Prague, "behind the iron curtain" . He loved to travel and relished the opportunity. At the conclusion of the 'school trip', he hitchhiked across Europe by himself, where he met some of the most interesting people and had experiences that would influence his life, once again. Carter went to medical school at UCLA, where he lived in a place called the 'Sandy Bay House', directly on the beach in Santa Monica, rooting him firmly in Southern California. Some of his favorite memories were at Sandy Bay House.

After residency, Carter went to Nairobi, Kenya, to direct a large NIH-funded study of malnourished infants at Kenyatta National Hospital. Upon completion of the project, he stayed in Kenya, earned his pilot's license, and continued practicing medicine, sometimes working on missions with the Flying Doctors, caring for people in remote areas and bringing medical care to so many in need. His experience in Kenya profoundly influenced the rest of his life, strengthening his commitment to caring for people from all walks of life regardless of status or circumstance.

Carter returned to Los Angeles for a two-year fellowship in cardiology and soon found himself headed to Saudi Arabia with a team of doctors setting up an ICU and Cardiology department, serving the Royal Family. After eight months in Saudi Arabia , he returned to Los Angeles and began private practice.

Carter rarely spoke about the patients personal circumstances, but one story stands out: he gave his first two paychecks to two patients who seemed to need the money more than he did. Carter was never one to worry about money and often treated patients without charging them. Years later, I would see tokens of gratitude, such as a Rolex watch, given by a patient he had helped years before, at a time when they could not afford to see a doctor. There was memorabilia all over his office- platinum records, boxing gloves, paintings, reflections of the deep affection and appreciation his patients had for him.

Carter lived an amazing life. He was curious about absolutely everything and found life so exciting, and, was determined to make the most of it. Single and adventurous, he loved travel and embraced it fully, learning languages, making friends around the world; friends who would often end up staying with him at his home in Los Angeles, sometimes for months...his home was open to everyone.

On March 19, 1995, he met Mary Kate McCann on a blind date in San Francisco. He immediately knew 'she was the one' and asked her to marry him just two weeks later. She did say yes, though she wisely suggested they wait awhile. Carter married Mary, his first and only wife, when he was 50 years old. Mary owned a Business Incentive Travel company , and Carter, still in practice, arranged his schedule so they could continuously globetrot—and they did.
From the moment they met, they were windsurfing in Sardinia, climbing in the Dolomites, fishing off the coast of Texas with Carter's parents, skiing in Italy, and cycling everywhere, their life became an ongoing adventure.

In 2000, Carter decided to leave private practice and pursue a career in non-invasive cardiology, specifically CT Angiography. He was fascinated by the idea that a patient could be diagnosed without surgery or catheterization, but, with 3-D imaging. Over the next several years, he consulted with Siemens Medical in Germany to become a specialist in CTA, ultimately recognized as a 'luminary' in the field. Carter enjoyed a remarkable second career for 20 years.

Carter and Mary moved to Tucson, Arizona, in 2003, trading the traffic, 'and the beaches' of Los Angeles, for the mountains and cycling paths of Tucson. Because Arizona summers are so hot, they chose to spend their summers in Sun Valley, Idaho, another perfect fit for the two of them.

Carter's greatest joy in life was helping others. Whether caring for patients, mentoring young aspiring medical students or perhaps young "wanna be golfers" , teaching colleagues CTA, or supporting friends through difficult times, he gave generously of himself. If you were fortunate enough to meet him, you were likely counted among his friends—and he never forgot you.

Though he sometimes regretted not pursuing his acceptance into the Air Force Academy, and his dream of becoming an Air Force pilot or astronaut, Carter ultimately fulfilled a higher calling. His life's work became one of healing, compassion, and connection, and through that work he touched countless lives.

He is survived by his devoted wife,Mary; his sister Kim and her son Oscar; and his brother Stephen; along with many dear friends and colleagues, so many who helped him navigate his way through life, he would like to mention you here, but, you know who you are.

In lieu of flowers, please honor Carter by carrying forward what he loved doing most:
pick up the phone and call an old friend, find someone who needs help and offer it, mentor someone striving to reach their goals.

At Carter's request there will not be a memorial. Carter will be buried in Rockdale, Texas with his parents.