Dr. Richard C. Newell

Dr. Richard C. Newell, a former resident of Bloomfield, CT, Gilford, NH, and Naples, FL, passed away peacefully in his sleep on September 22, 2023 at McLean Health Center in Simsbury, CT. He had recently celebrated his 95th birthday with family. Richard was the loving husband of 66 years to the late Beverly Newell and the son of Albert and Edna (Kidder) Newell.

A devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle, Richard had a warm personality, a bright smile, a great sense of humor, and a deep sense of humility and service. He was a dedicated physician to multiple generations of patients throughout the area. He represented a traditional family doctor who knew his patients well and made regular house calls, even to remote farms, back in the day.

Richard grew up on New Hampshire's Lake Winnipesaukee, swimming, boating, water skiing, and fishing on the "Big Lake," and snow skiing and hiking on nearby mountains. He was the captain of the Laconia High School basketball team, played the piano, and sang in the choir at the Congregational Church of Laconia.

Richard served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a surgical technician, experience that was invaluable to his future in medicine. Following WWII, he attended Boston University as a pre-med student, where he also rowed on the varsity crew team. After graduation, he worked at Massachusetts Memorial Hospital in Boston, before gaining admission to the Boston University School of Medicine. He met his future wife, Beverly, in 1950 in Boston where she was studying at Wheelock College.

After earning his medical degree in 1956, Richard completed his medical residency and internship at Hartford Hospital in Hartford, CT. In 1960, he opened a private practice in internal medicine in Bloomfield, CT, where he raised a family with his wife and treated patients for nearly 30 years. Richard was board-certified in internal medicine, a member of the Senior Staff at Hartford Hospital, and a member of the Endocrine Group and Teaching Rounds staff. He served as Medical Director at the Bloomfield Convalescent Home for 25 years and as Assistant Medical Director at the Duncaster Retirement Community. Engaged in the local community, Richard served as President of the Civitan Club of Bloomfield. He also served as a Deacon at the First Congregational Church of Bloomfield, where "Bev and Dick" were keenly involved and made lifelong friends.

Upon retirement from medicine, he and Beverly spent summers in Gilford, NH, and winters in Naples, FL. Full retirement was a bit slow-paced for Richard, so he became a real estate agent in New Hampshire and Florida, embarking on a second career that lasted 17 years. During this time, he also served as an Incorporator for the Lakes Region General Hospital and the Taylor Home in Laconia, NH. Richard was an avid golfer and tennis player as well, and enjoyed boating, traveling, church activities, and cherished time with family and friends.

The couple eventually returned to Connecticut to be closer to their growing family, ultimately residing at McLean in Simsbury, where they visited with family and received loving care from the wonderful nurses, aides, and other staff.

Richard is survived by his eldest daughter, Jan Newell Spears, and her daughter Jasmine; his son, Randy Newell, his wife Karen, and their three sons, Matthew, Ryan, and Christopher; and his youngest daughter, Wendy Newell Hunt, her husband Patrick, and their two children, Lila and Patrick. He is also survived by his sister, Dorothy Malloy, and her husband John, as well as his sister-in-law, Gail Lyon, and many nieces, nephews, and other loving members of the Newell, Malloy, and Lyon families. He was predeceased by his parents, wife, and brother, Arthur Newell.

A Celebration of Life is planned for Sunday, October 22nd at the Hill-Stead Museum, 35 Mountain Road, Farmington, CT 06032. For details and to RSVP, please visit Richard's "Book of Memories" at www.vincentfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you honor Richard's memory by donating to the Medical School Lead Scholarship Fund at the Boston University School of Medicine via bu.edu/supportbusm.