Dirk Newton

Dirk Newton—beloved husband, father, friend, musician, and local legend—passed away unexpectedly on April 11, 2025 at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa. He was 67 years old, but filled every year with enough life, love, and music to stretch across lifetimes. Born on November 25, 1957, in Des Moines to William Clinton Newton and Waneta Arlene Faler, Dirk came into the world with rhythm in his bones and stories in his soul. He got his first set of drums from Fred Baressi’s Professional Music Center (yes, we still have the receipts) before graduating to the guitar thanks to his older brother Dave—starting a lifetime love affair with music that would never let up. Dirk was a graduate of Roosevelt High School, but most of his education came from the school of rock, soul, and blues, gear trades, and maybe a few late nights hauling kegs and playing shows with his brother. In true Newton fashion, he hustled with a string of gigs early on—working (probably underage) at “So’s Your Mother’s” in Des Moines, moonlighting as a renal dialysis tech at Lutheran Hospital, then working days at Leachman’s Lumber Mill while gigging five nights a week. Somewhere in the middle of that madness, he and his band played a wedding where he caught the eye of a guest named Catherine. Her friend Patty introduced them, insisting they’d be a perfect match—and Patty was right. Dirk and Catherine fell hard for each other—the kind of love that songs are written about (and Dirk did). They were married on May 28, 1983 and built a wild, beautiful life together over 42 years of love, music, and laughter—raising three kids, working hard at their (multiple) jobs, and never quite going to bed at a “reasonable” hour (don’t they write country songs about that?). Dirk was a force. A gifted musician who could move between guitar, drums, and songwriting like it was second nature—because for him, it was. He played with countless jams and local groups over the decades, including his first band Time Ltd, Jacob County (as a Damaged Good), Stutterin' Jimmy and the Goosebumps, Cashes Rivers, US band, Kruse Band, Beatnix, the ill fated Titan, and his countless solo efforts, to barely scratch the surface. He was always on the move, always in the groove. Dirk’s passion for music was matched only by his passion for people. He worked with nearly every guitar shop in the city before finally opening his own vintage guitar shop in Des Moines’ East Village. He gave countless young musicians their start—not just by selling them their first guitar, but by making them feel seen, welcome, and part of something bigger. Yes, even Green Day got the same fair deal as the high school kid buying their first Strat — because that’s just who Dirk was. Dirk wasn’t just a player—he was a gear guy. A true curator with encyclopedic knowledge of instruments, amps, pedals, and the stories behind them all. He had a sixth sense for giving vintage gear new life, and he helped many musicians—especially those on the brink of giving up—feel seen, validated, and valued. If you came into his shop, you didn’t just walk out with a guitar. You walked out believing in yourself again. Later in life, Dirk connected as a caregiver with Mosaic of Central Iowa, where he built meaningful connections and advocated fiercely for his clients. His love of gear restoration carried into retirement, teaching friends and family the infamous “Newton Flip”—his signature move for turning an old find into gold after a weekend of “hooting” (hunting down forgotten instruments, fixing them up, and finding them new homes). If you ever bought a lovingly-restored piece of gear in Des Moines, there’s a good chance it had a little Newton magic in it. Dirk stood for kindness, inclusion, and giving people a chance. He believed in fair deals, second acts, and playing the hell out of a guitar solo when the moment called for it (and he always knew the right moment). He loved playing and hosting local jams and had a soft spot for soulful ballads, old pop bops, rowdy rock anthems, and anything with heart. He told stories you might hear twice (or five times), always had a gig on the calendar, and never met a stranger he couldn’t swap licks, gear yaps, or laughs with. Someone recently said, “People were drawn to Dirk like water from a faucet. That charisma, that light—it never turned off.” That was Dirk: He was magnetic. He was humble. He was passionate and hilarious. And when he loved you, he loved hard. Dirk couldn’t have loved anyone harder than he loved his wife and kids and regularly beamed with pride at each of his children’s strengths, strong hearts, and unique personalities—and his legacy lives on not just in them, but in his entire community. Dirk is survived by his beloved wife Catherine Anne Newton; his children Brandon Dillon Newton, Emily Rose Newton, and Bailee Marie Newton; his brother David Newton; sisters Terri Mahony and Janet Burris; and his many nieces, nephews, friends, fans, and fellow gear-heads. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Waneta Newton— who never told him to turn it down, Niece Candie Dombrowski, and last but not least his pups Widget, Arlo and Iggy. Dirk will be remembered for his music, his heart, his storytelling, and the way he opened doors, stages, and hearts for so many others. As Dirk once wrote: "Sometimes I live one day at a time Sometimes I live three days in my mind But I can't help but see The best thing for me is to only be me." We welcome all who knew and loved Dirk to a visitation on Monday, April 21st from 5-8pm, and to say farewell at his funeral service on Tuesday, April 22nd at 11am, both held at Iles Dunn Funeral Home (2121 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312). Dirk will be cremated per his wishes, and we know his spirit will be gracing jam sessions and guitar shops for years to come. To honor Dirk, we encourage you to welcome someone in, host a jam, give a fair deal, or put a few bucks in the band’s tip jar — because music, generosity, and community were the cornerstones of his life. Donations toward funeral and memorial expenses may be directed to Brandon Newton. In true Dirk fashion, we plan to honor him with a celebration of life memorial show (in the works)—stay tuned. Dad, we’ll keep the amps warm for you.