Ryan Mortuary & Crematory | Richard Ralph Newman obituary

Richard Ralph Newman

May 28, 1930 - February 27, 2008

Richard Ralph Newman, the son of Spencer and Elva Pickard was born to Ted B. and Gladys Lucile (Pickard) Newman on May 28, 1930 in Strong City, Kansas. He departed on February 27, 2008 at Kansas Veterans Home in Winfield, Kansas surrounded by his family. He was raised with his brothers Spencer Vincent and Donald Lee until their mother’s death in February 1934. In June 1934 Spencer and Elva obtained guardianship of Richard and he was raised as their only child.

At the age of 17 he enlisted in the Navy serving on the USS Lytle and USS Askari during the Korean War. After three years in the Navy, he enlisted in the Air Force from which he retired after 21 years of service. In 1957 he married Mary Zachmann and had three children, Charlene, Craig and Brian. In 1971 he married Dorothy Goss and had one daughter, Beverly Hatfield of Salina.

After the military he was a “jack-of-all-trades,” but the job he was most proud of was being a car salesman extraordinaire in Salina. He was a member of the VFW, Masonic Lodge and ISIS Shrine, all of Salina, and earned the distinguished honor of Potentate in 2000.

Richard was preceded in death by Ted and Gladys Newman, Spencer and Elva Pickard, Spencer Newman and special friend Grace Luerig. Survivors include daughter Beverly Hatfield and husband Phillip Hatfield and grandsons Zachariah and Joshua Hatfield, all of Salina.

The funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Trinity United Methodist Church, 901 E. Neal Ave. Burial will be in Gypsum Hill Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the ISIS Shrine, Salina. Visitation will be from noon to 8 p.m. Sunday at Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. 8th, Salina.