Robert Lee Newman
September 20, 1949 ~ March 21, 2019
Robert L. Newman, a former Lawrence, Kansas resident, passed at age 69 on March 21, 2019 in Hughson where he made his home the past 12 years.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 5 at Salas Brothers Funeral Chapel, 419 Scenic Drive, Modesto.
Bob was born Sept. 20, 1949 in Ottawa Kansas as the eldest of two children of the late George and Alice Newman. Bob was educated with an associate degree in English Literature from Kansas University. He went on to pursue being a Service Technical Engineer, which brought him out to California, to pursue the dream. He later started his own company and was fortunate to be able to have traveled the world.
During early years he developed a love for speed and all things fast and he was passionate about this each and every day, even when life gave him obstacles to conquer and overcome. Whether on dirt, asphalt or in the air, Bob was adventurous. He loved to race things such as quarter midgets, mini sprints, pocket bikes, ultralight planes and lawnmower racing. This love allowed him to create many wonderful friendships along life’s journey. Bob was also a true Kansas sports fan, Chiefs, and, of course, KU Jayhawks.
Bob is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Sylvia Newman; his stepdaughter, Michell Bartlett-Munoz and her husband Carlos Munoz; his brother, Bruce Newman and his wife Rosie; grandchildren Eric Munoz and Nicole Munoz; nephew Kevin Newman and his wife Jamie; great nephew Kyle Newman; great niece Lilly Newman; and numerous other nieces and nephews and extended family.
Bob will be fondly remembered by family and friends as a kind and gentle soul with extremely blue eyes, and for his contributions to his community as a former president of the Hughson Chamber of Commerce, chairperson of the Hughson Fruit & Nut Festival, and member and organizer of the USLMRA (United States Lawn Mower Racing Association) on the West Coast.
“Don’t remember me with sadness, don’t remember me with tears, remember all the laughter we have shared throughout the years.”
–Ceres (Calif.) Courier
Wednesday, April 3, 2019
