Posted by Bill Carey on November 16, 2007:

It seems as if only a few years have passed since I first met Newt - aka ‘Ned’ or ‘Fig’ - in September of 1952. He was one of the first three roommates I had (in K-1 we changed roommates four times during Plebe year) . The first weekend after we were in our permanent companies, Newt invited me to a ‘family’ picnic. I gladly accepted. I expected a few family members, four or six, but soon learned that ‘Italian Families’ included 2nd and 3rd cousins. There must have been 25 or 30 people at the picnic. I instantly became a member of the family; women were hugging me; men were shaking (pumping) my hand and slapping me on the back. They had found a place near Lusk Reservoir, and spread out enough food to feed the entire Plebe Class. Being from an Irish, southern raised family, I had never eaten Italian food (this was many years ahead of the ubiquitous ‘Pizza’). It was a wonderful few hours with Ned’s family. Newt – and Jeff Childs – and I roomed together Cow and Firstie years. Ned’s Grandmother continued providing Italian food to us via monthly ‘care packages’. They contained ‘pie’ – great warmed on the radiator – salami, pepperoni, pastries, and always well hidden ‘miniatures’. A scan of the hallway, stoop, and area was accomplished, and somehow, the contents of ‘miniatures’ disappeared. Newt was an easy roommate to be with. Happy, smart, helpful, full of ideas (polish the window locks) and more mature than Jeff or I. Newt frequently mentioned his fiancé. I met her on Ring Weekend in 1955. At that time Ned gave her a West Point miniature in addition to the ring she had had for three years. At the end of Christmas leave in December 1955, Jeff and I were in our room by early afternoon. We were concerned because Newt had not yet returned. As that time came when we should have signed in, Newt had not arrived. Jeff and I surmised that Ned had had an accident. The next day Jeff and I were called to an audience with the Company TAC Officer. My heart was in my throat, as this seemed identical to when in October of 1953, my roommates and I were called to see the TAC, and told of the death of Wiley McCrea. Thankfully, Ned was not dead. We were only told that he had resigned and we were to pack his personal belongings for shipment to his home. It would be April of 1957 before I saw Newt again. He came to Tucson to be the Godfather for my first son. At that time, I learned that his fiancé had ended their three year engagement just after Christmas. Ned was essentially destroyed. He had only a vague recollection of the events of the three days after her announcement. After that period, he decided to resign. I kept in contact with Newt for the next two years. He graduated from USC, had gotten a job with IBM, and had met an ‘interesting’ French girl – Michele – who became his wife in 1958. They had three children: Marc, Ken, and Michelle. Ned had a series of successful assignment with IBM. In 1984 Ned became President of a computer leasing company in Phoenix. He retired from business in 1990, continued to live in Scottsdale, Arizona. I lost contact with Ned for the next 47 years. We reestablished contact in 2004, via the good graces of our Listserve Handler, Kenny Lang. Ned and I talked several times. We both assured each other that we would get together, but never did. There is a lesson there! I will always remember Ned: his bright personality, happiness, willingness to help, and always being just a good friend. Ned’s funeral is ongoing as this is posted on November 16, 2007 God bless you Newt. Rest in Peace dear friend. Bill

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