Matthew Taylor Newman

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University of California| Berkeley

Matthew Newman Obituary

Newman, Matthew Taylor
Matthew Taylor Newman, 48 years old, passed away on September 30, 2009, two months after a diagnosis of late stage pancreatic cancer.
Matthew was a talented man, kind and easy to love, extraordinarily generous to all around him. A devoted father, he did not waiver in his affection for and devotion to his daughter, Sophie. A school teacher early in his adult life and then as an attorney, he provided thoughtful guidance to others at critical times in their lives. His sharp intellect went hand in hand with his contagious laugh and commitment to helping those in need. He built strong friendships with people from a wide range of backgrounds, ages and professions.
Matthew was born on Dec 26, 1960 in Chicago, ILL and was raised in Los Angeles, CA. A graduate of UC Berkeley, Matt remained a zealous CAL sports fan his entire life. He attended Golden Gate Law School and practiced first in Oregon and then in Monterey, CA. For the last five years he lived in Los Gatos, CA and established a private law practice in San Jose, CA with Nick Forooghi. He also co-owned a boat charter business in Austin, Texas with Rett Scudder.
Matthew is survived by his daughter, Sophie and her mother Denise Lebel Newman; mother Natalie Newman; father Howard Newman (Dr Susan Brown); sister Naomi Kellar; brother Joshua Newman (Martha Diepenbrock); step-sister Jennifer Brown; step-brother Jonathan Brown (Sherrie Lipsky); Nieces Danielle Kellar, Rachel Kellar, Zoe Newman, Tessa Newman, Lucy Brown, Hannah Brown, Alisa Sheldon and Danielle Sheldon; as well as close extended family and friends who shared his fight against cancer with him to the end. He also was survived by his beloved horse Ginger whom he frequently rode with his daughter, Sophie, an accomplished equestrian. His dear friends Rett Scudder, Sally Phillips, Cynthia Buse and her son Daniel, spent the last two months by his side caring for him through this difficult time.
A memorial service will be held on November 1, 2009 in Berkeley CA. Contact the family or his close friends, Rett Scudder or Nick Forooghi for details.
If you wish to make a contribution on his behalf, a donation can be made to: UCSF Foundation, Pancreas Cancer Program, PO Box 45339, San Francisco, CA 94145-0339, noting that the gift is in memory of Matthew Taylor Newman.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Los Angeles Times on Oct. 11, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Matthew Newman

4 Entries

Johnathan spears

November 13, 2020

Omg I was thinking about Matt the past few years and how he help me with some custody cases that are still haunting me to this day.
I wanted to reach out and say hello so I googled his name and was in shock.
I remember working off some of my payments to him by working on his father’s house in Carmel valley.
It was a beautiful home sleeping outside underneath the stars. Matthew was a wonderful person and very inspiring person. He always made me feel like I was his only case even though I knew better.
I still think about him from time to time.
I’m sorry for the list of a great individual a great father and a loving husband. I can remember some of our talks about his family on our 2 & 3 hr drives to court.
He made me want to be a better person.
I will miss him.

Johnathan spears

Teri Scarlett

November 4, 2009

I was very sorry to hear about Matt; I used to enjoy our talks in Monterey when we worked in the same building on Garden Road. He was someone with a lot of energy and creative ideas when dealing with difficult family law cases. My thoughts are with his family and friends. Teri Scarlett

John Bernstein

October 13, 2009

It was with great sadness that I learned of Matt's passing. I would ask that his family and friends accept my sympathy.

Matt and I met during our freshman year at UC San Diego where we quickly became good friends. He was a warm, fun-loving guy who easily made many friends.

Matt and I went to Tahoe for an adventurous summer after our freshman year. Later, we transferred to UC Berkeley and took a summer intensive Spanish course together. We enjoyed many Cal Bears football games and were together at the Big Game when Cal beat Stanford with "The Play".

I regret that we somehow lost contact after graduation.

The memory of Matt, his kindness and our friendship will stay with me for the rest of my life.

Mark Shebby

October 13, 2009

I first met Matt more than a year ago as being opposing counsel in a dissolution matter. He impressed me then as being much more than just a good lawyer. Our paths crossed many times afterward as our offices were located in the same building; promises and commitments were made to visit - which unfortunately can no longer happen.
I extend my deepest condolences to those who knew and loved Matt. He was one of my favorite OPC's and he left us far, far too soon. He will be missed.

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