Robert Bass Newton

Robert Bass Newton, of Slidell, Louisiana, passed away on December 31, 2025, at the age of 93. Born on July 8, 1932, in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, England, to his parents, Robert Newton and Edith (Bass) Newton, Robert was the eldest of three siblings, with a younger brother, John Newton, and sister, Dorothy (Newton) Hodgson. Growing up during World War II, he carried many vivid stories of his family's experiences.
At age 13, he attended Northeast Technical College in Colchester, England, a Junior Technical School. From 1954 to 1956, he served in the British Royal Air Force. He earned a Higher National Certificate in Mechanical Engineering, with endorsements in Structure and Heat Engines, from Kingston Technical College, England-a qualification equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree. Earlier in his professional life, during his 30s, Robert was employed at Vickers-Armstrong Ltd Weybridge Works in Surrey, located near Isleworth, Middlesex, England.
In 1967, he married Monique Juliet Marie (Langlet) Newton, originally from Villers-sur-Mer, Basse-Normandie, France. The couple's love story began when they met by chance in a taxi in Cherbourg, France, as Robert was en route to a Paris air show. Shortly after their wedding, they relocated to Buffalo, New York, where Robert began a new chapter in his career, working at Bell Aerosystems in Niagara Falls. On June 26, 1974, he accepted a position at Bell Aerospace in New Orleans, Louisiana, and later continued his career with Martin Marietta, which subsequently became Lockheed Martin.
Together, they shared 49 years of marriage until Monique's passing on April 3, 2017. Following the passing of his beloved wife Monique, Robert remained active in his community. He regularly exercised at Cross Gates Athletic Club and volunteered with the Slidell Library. He was also active with the Lockheed Martin Retirement Club. He cherished attending the activities of his grandchildren.
An avid aviator, Robert held a private pilot's license and, along with two friends, built and flew a home-built aircraft that is still flying today. Another proud accomplishment was The New Orleans Marathon which included running across the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. His passions included flying gliders, aviation, photography, travel, and woodworking.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Edith Newton; his brother, John Newton; his brother-in-law, Bill Hodgson; and his wife, Monique Juliet Marie (Langlet) Newton.
Robert is survived by his daughters: Laura Newton Jones, Annette Newton Baldwin, Sophie Beane (Kevin), and Natalie Sturgis (Richard); his sister, Dorothy Hodgson; and a host of extended family members. He is the grandfather of Gabrielle Bree Baldwin, Isabelle Emily Beane, Exene Ophelia Sturgis, Jillian Phoenix Beane, and Orion Robert Sturgis. Robert often expressed how deeply proud he was of his children and grandchildren.
Robert's life was marked by his resilience, his love for his family, and his journey from the English Coast to becoming an American Citizen.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Sunday, January 11, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Audubon Funeral Home in Slidell. A Celebration of Life Service will begin in the chapel at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Robert Bass Newton to the Southeastern Louisiana University LION UP Recovery Program, which supports students in recovery from addiction while pursuing their academic goals @ https://www.southeastern.edu/lionup-recovery/donate/. Memories and condolences may be expressed at www.AudubonFuneralHome.com