Robert Lewis Newman

July 10, 1928 - August 11, 2013

Robert Lewis Newman (The Bear) Robert Newman (Bob Bear), 85 of Ephrata, passed away peacefully on August 11, 2013. He was born to Etta and Charles Newman on July 10, 1928 in Lexington Ohio. Bob the Bear as he was called by friends and family was a funny guy. The name the Bear was bestowed on him by all the kids who used to come and go from the house. Dad was always sitting in his Lazy Boy growling at us about all that kid traffic coming and going. Because of his growling he was the brunt of many practical jokes and one liners. He always took it well and played his share on others. Bob was a very hard worker and a good provider for his family. After a diagnosis of diabetes and a heart attack he retired from Crystal Linen Supply. Dad and Mom had a few good years of retirement until Nancy’s death in 1997. They were married for fifty years. After a few years of being “single” Dad got together with Sandy Clark. They also had a great time together traveling to the coast and going deep sea fishing. Bob began to have health issues which stood in the way of him getting around as before. The Bear had open heart surgery and Sandy became his live-in partner and care giver. We called him the comeback kid after numerous hospitalizations and miraculous recoveries. Bob is survived by his son Mark Newman of Ephrata, WA; daughter Bobbette Newman of Spokane, WA; granddaughter Carlee Kellams of Seattle, WA; and sister-in-law Joan Warner of Ephrata, WA. He is preceded in death by his parents Charles and Etta, his wife Nancy, and daughter Patti Jo. There will be a graveside service for the Bear at 1:00pm on Friday, August 16, 2013 at Valley View Memorial Park in Soap Lake. Please express your thoughts and memories for the family at nicolesfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Nicoles Funeral Home of Ephrata, WA.