Merrill Newman

1928 - 2022

Merrill E. Newman
May 20, 1928 – January 17, 2022
Merrill Newman led a vigorous, engaged life that inspired others by example. He died tired and worn, but without a spot of rust. The reach of Merrill's influence and love was broad and enduring. He led with his actions, a quiet and powerful role model.
Merrill was born in Sacramento and raised in Colusa, California, a fertile farming town north of the Capitol. His parents were both schoolteachers. In the hot climate of the Sacramento Valley the Colusa city swimming pool was the center of after school and summer recreation. As a child of the Great Depression Merrill found the Red Cross water-safety, first-aid and CPR programs a good fit and worked summers and after school as a lifeguard and swim instructor. He also mowed the park lawns.
Merrill graduated in Zoology from University of California, Berkeley, in 1950. He served in the US Army in Korea, stationed behind the lines with partisan forces on islands off the coast. Using infrequent quiet moments, he trolled the Yellow Sea for unfamiliar fish, one of which was later named for him: Liparis Newmani.
Following his discharge and on the GI Bill, Merrill earned an MA and teaching credential at Stanford, where he met and married Lee, a Stanford graduate. Merrill taught high school math and science, coached the swim team and for a decade taught Industrial Engineering at College of San Mateo's Adult Evening Program. His son, Jeff, and daughter, Jennifer, were born while he was studying nights for his MBA at the University of Santa Clara. Later the family enjoyed backpacking the Trinities and father/son bike rides through California's coastal mountains. Neither Merrill's guitar strumming nor his harmonica playing was of performance level, but he practiced diligently and took pleasure accompanying Jennifer on the flute.
Leaving high school teaching in 1956, Merrill worked for a series of technology companies - first in manufacturing and then in finance. As CFO of several high growth private and public companies, he was always a bike ride from home. In retirement he worked in venture consulting, where he was active until the end. He connected with "Valley" leaders but, more importantly, with those who struggled. He always ended grace with "…and bless those less fortunate." He served on the Board of Directors of several non-profit organizations, including Children's Health Council, American Red Cross and the First Congregational Church of Palo Alto. In 2005 he was awarded Avenidas' Lifetimes of Achievement Award.
Merrill was an adventurer and sailed the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. He and Lee sailed down the coast of Mexico, Central and South America and through the Panama Canal. Merrill started scuba diving in the early 1960s and did his last "check-out" dive three years ago. He earned a General Class Ham radio license, satisfying the requisite Morse code exam. He also became proficient in celestial navigation, earned a Coast Guard 50-ton Master's license and developed practical skills in the art of welding.
Having a keen interest in Korea and the people he fought for as a young man, Merrill, age 85, and a friend arranged, through a recognized travel agency, for a guided tour of North Korea. On boarding a plane for his flight home, Merrill was arrested on unspecified charges, presumably stemming from his military service 60 years earlier. Through the efforts of many, he was reunited with his family after being held incommunicado for six weeks in the DPRK.
Merrill is survived by his wife of 63 years, Lee, his two grandsons, daughter-in-law Ryan and son Jeff. He was predeceased by his daughter Jennifer, brother Norm and sister Barbara. He is also survived by nephews, nieces and "adopted" sons and daughters.
With COVID preventing a church memorial, close family gathered in Grass Valley for a grave-site internment. Remembrances may be made to the First Congregational Church of Palo Alto (1985 Louis Rd., Palo Alto, CA 94303) or Silicon Valley Red Cross (2731 N. First St., San Jose, CA 95134).