Obituary of Rudolph Mitchell Newman

Rudolph Mitchell Newman of Sumter, South Carolina passed away peacefully on November 12, 2015 surrounded by his family. Born in Henderson, North Carolina, he was the son of the late Robert and Martha Newman. Rudy attended Epson High School, North Carolina State University and received his Master’s in Business from the University of Maryland. Rudy served in the United States Air Force. During his military service, he served with distinction during the Cuban Missile Crisis as well as the Vietnam War, where he served as an electronic warfare officer with the famous Wild Weasels, 17 Tactical Fighter Squadron, flying F-105 Thunderchiefs out of Korat Royal Tai Air Force Base from December, 1973 through December, 1974. He was awarded numerous commendations including the U.S. Air Force Air Medal. After his retirement from the Air Force in 1979 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, he began a second career with the National Bank of South Carolina where he served as a Vice President and Manager of the Investments Division, but stayed active in aviation as a member of the Civil Air Patrol and served on the Sumter County Airport Commission. Outside of his professional endeavors, he was civic and community minded serving as a member of the Sumter Airport Commission, member of the Wofford College Parents’ Advisory Council, Board of Directors of Washington Place, member of the Central Carolina Technical College Commission and was appointed to the Agency Head Salary Review Commission by the Governor of South Carolina. Rudy will be remembered for his love of family, loyalty towards friends, strong work ethic and steadfast faith. His quick smile, humility and unending love and support will be dearly missed by his family. His example of courage, honesty, and sincerity are traits that will be reflected in the lives of his grandchildren whom he dearly loved. He is survived by his wife, RoseMarie Johnson Newman to whom he was happily married for 54 years; his sons, Rudolph Mitchell Newman, Jr. M.D. (Lisa) of Columbia, Jeffrey Miles Newman, M.D. (Sarah) of Spartanburg and Steven Michael Newman, M.D. (Rennie) of Greenville; seven grandchildren, Quinn, Braxton, Davis, Hannah, Daniel, Mary Michael, and Blanton. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 14, 2015 at First Presbyterian Church, Sumter, with the Reverend Jim Burton officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the memorial service in the First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall. Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 9 W. Calhoun Street, Sumter, SC 29150. On-line condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals.com Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad Street, Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements (803) 775-9386.