ARTHUR NEWMAN
“A Man for All Reasons”
Arthur S. Newman, Jr. born January 22, 1924, in Cleveland, Ohio was the first son born to Arthur S. Newman, Sr., a third-generation American and Theresa Fetzer who emigrated from Hungary as a child. Arthur, named for his father, was soon joined by his brother Paul, who was born one year, three days and ten hours later; a birth fact frequently quoted by Paul. The brothers were often referred to as “Irish twins” as they learned everything together and remained close all their lives until Paul’s passing in 2008. They were raised in the suburb of Shaker Heights, Ohio.
NEWMAN FAMILY HISTORY
In the early 20th century, Arthur Sr., and his brother Joseph Newman were pioneer retailers in the very new radio parts and eventually the sporting goods business and owned the well-known, landmark Newman Stern Company located in downtown Cleveland. Both Arthur and Paul worked from time to time in the family business.
Arthur’s upbringing in the family sporting goods company and exposure to sports in the Oakwood Country Club environment, spurred his athletic interests early on that included ice skating, golf and tennis. After college, he became an accomplished horseman and even did some show riding. In his 40’s along with his brother, he took up skiing in earnest and arranged ski trips whenever possible. Until his 70’s Arthur was a strong ice skater and even played hockey as the oldest team member in men’s amateur groups at the Lake Arrowhead and Palm Desert rinks.
Arthur and his brother were also exposed to music early as their mother loved opera and took them often to Cleveland’s Severance Hall for performances and their father shared his interest in classical music. Although mostly by ear, Arthur learned to play the drums and Paul the piano. In high school they experimented with forming a small band but the endeavor didn’t work out as no one in the group read music well. A person with born wit and sense of humor that he passed onto his sons, Arthur, Sr. loved to tell stories and play practical jokes.
Throughout their lives, both Arthur and
Paul were known for their, often corny and sometimes obscure jokes!
Every summer during Arthur and Paul’s childhood, the family would take a ‘road trip’ vacation. One such trip in the summer of 1940, the family visited Colorado and then drove south to Santa Fe where they stayed for several days at La Fonda. That was the first trip of many to Santa Fe over the course of both Arthur and Paul’s lives as they shot parts of several films in the area and later Arthur and Patty visited many times; eventually buying a house in the city.
MILITARY SERVICE WWII
Drafted on his 19th birthday, Arthur served in the U.S. Army 8th Air Force, 389th Bomb Group. Once in training, it was discovered that he was color blind (an anomaly suffered by Paul as well). Arthur was unable to join flight school, which was a big disappointment, but he became a specialist in what at that time, was top secret: “radar”. He was stationed in England and his duties included playing drums in the swing band for troop entertainment. Once back in the U.S., and stationed in Miami, for some time he replaced the drummer in the Miami Beach Army Air Force Band, formerly the Glenn Miller Stateside Band. Simultaneous to Arthur’s WWII service, his brother was in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Theatre.
EDUCATION AND CAREER
Following his honorable discharge from the Army, Arthur attended the University of Michigan graduating with a Business Degree in 1948. As young adults, both Arthur and his brother, again spent time working at the Newman Stern store. After their father died in 1950, their uncle sold the company and Arthur worked for Clark Controller and the GM Cadillac Tank Division. Paul went on to act on Broadway and eventually in Hollywood, earning three Academy Awards during his decades long career. At his brother’s urging, in 1960 Arthur joined Paul in Hollywood and served as an officer and director in several of his production companies which was the beginning of Arthur’s long career as a film production executive. With their striking resemblance, Arthur was often used as a photo double for Paul during film production. Just a few of his credits include: “Rachel, Rachel,” “Sometimes A Great Notion,”, “Hud,” “Cool Hand Luke,” “Slap Shot,” “Harper” and “Winning.” Arthur was a life member of the Director’s Guild of America.
MEETING PATTY
In 1972, while skiing with Paul, at Mammoth Mountain, the newly divorced Arthur saw his future wife, Patty, walking up the stairs at the Mammoth Mountain Inn just as she arrived for the weekend. Arthur was immediately taken by Patty and determined that he must meet her…. the rest, as they say, is history. A year later they were married in London while Arthur was working on a film with his brother.
When time away from Hollywood would permit, Arthur relished time at Lake Arrowhead, CA for golf and the nearby ski resorts. After their marriage, they moved full time to the mountain community where both were very involved in civic and community service. Arthur served on several boards including the Lake Arrowhead Country Club where he had become an avid golfer. A few years ago, although no longer able to play golf, the Club Board elected him to Life Membership; he was a member for over 55 years. Their home in Lake Arrowhead remains in the family.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
For well over four decades, Arthur along with Patty, have been active participants in their communities serving on boards, committees and commissions. They have been spokespeople and lent their names to many worthy causes and organizations. Once Arthur retired from the film industry, he became interested in local politics and served on the Rancho Mirage City Council for over five years in order to help create some much needed changes. In addition to serving on Council and representing the city on a wide variety of commissions, he was a leader in the development of the first Rancho Mirage Public library which opened in 1996. He retired from the Council to great ‘fan-fare’ but continued to serve the community.
In 2008, to honor Arthur, the Joslyn Center in Palm Desert, CA named their Theatre the Arthur Newman Theatre. In addition to numerous other awards Arthur and Patty have received in recognition of their community leadership and charitable work, in 2012 they received a star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars
Once in Santa Fe, Arthur and Patty continued their community work through philanthropy and as active leaders in charitable and cultural efforts. From the very beginning of its creation by Paul, Arthur and Patty were active participants in the work of Newman’s Own Foundation. They have shared resources generously for ‘greater good’ in helping to meet needs of the community as well as the world at large.
Some of the local Santa Fe organizations that have benefited from their support are: Coe Center for the Arts, Food Depot, International Folk Art Market, Lensic Theatre, Museum of New Mexico Foundation, New Mexico Governors’ Mansion Foundation, Santa Fe Farmers Market, Santa Fe Opera, Santa Fe Watershed Association, New Mexico School for the Arts, and SAR- School for Advanced Research, among others.
Arthur is survived by his wife, Patty, non-profit leader and philanthropist; daughter, Lori; nieces Susan, Stephanie, Nell, Melissa and Clea; granddaughters Emily and Madeline; and his sister-in- law, the Academy Award winning actress, Joanne Woodward.
Arthur died suddenly, Monday, December 7th, 2020, Pearl Harbor Day, at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, from complications of sepsis. He was 96. In accordance with Arthur & Patty’s wishes to continue service to others, Arthur’s brain was donated for research. Burial was private but there will be a celebration of his long amazing life following the pandemic.
The family has been deeply touched and is most appreciative of the over-whelming response to Arthur’s passing. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Arthur’s memory to Food Depot, www.thefooddepot.org 1222A Siler Road, Santa Fe, NM 87507, Santa Fe Opera Pueblo Youth Program, development@santafeopera.org, Box 2408, Santa Fe, NM 87504 or to a charity of your choice.