A memorial service is ready for 11 am on Saturday at First Baptist Church of Gadsden for Dr. Lucien Newman Jr., surgeon at Gadsden for greater than half a century and a person beloved by buddies, colleagues and sufferers.
Newman, 85, who was described by longtime pal Larry Foreman as a “big man in each method,” died Wednesday at his residence.
He practiced in Gadsden for 52 years, from 1968 till his retirement in 2020, however left his mark on the group in different methods.
Newman based and taught within the EMS/Paramedic program at Gadsden State Neighborhood School, and has skilled many first responders. The college’s annual award given to this system’s excellent scholar is called after him.
He additionally served as chief of workers at each native hospitals, Gadsden Regional Medical Heart and Riverview Regional Medical Heart; was a patron/patron of the humanities and outside teams; He was an early supporter of Westminster (now Westbrook) Christian Faculty, whose three kids and 4 grandchildren attended the varsity.
“Dr. Denton Park, CEO of Gadsden Regional, stated, “Newman has effectively handled over 50,000 sufferers in his service to our group over the course of his profession. Numerous members of our workers and sufferers have felt his care, compassion, and kindness.
Park stated, “We are going to bear in mind him for his distinctive persona, heat kindness, and distinctive medical abilities amongst different issues. What an unimaginable man he was, and what a beautiful legacy he left behind.”
The Mayor of Gadsden, Craig Ford, stated, “Lucian was a pillar of our group and a beautiful pal to all who knew him, together with myself. In some ways I took him as a job mannequin, for he was a prince of a gentleman. I do know he shall be sorely missed.”
Native urologist Dr. John Pirani, GRMC’s chief medical officer, stated Newman was “a job mannequin for a lot of of right this moment’s surgeons,” and orthopedic surgeon Dr. Butch Douthet stated he modeled his apply on Newman’s.
“He was the primary physician I met once I got here to city,” Duthette stated. “He was an amazing physician who all the time taken care of his sufferers. He was beloved by everybody and was well-known in the neighborhood.”
Foreman stated, “Each affected person I spoke to spoke about how mild, form, and caring he was in each side, not simply their bodily attitudes.”
A pal of Mary John Wilson recalled a dialog with former Gadsden Occasions editor Howell Talley shortly after she moved to Gadsden. He shared one thing I all the time remembered. Howell was a pal of a health care provider who skilled Lucien throughout his keep. He quoted that physician, talking of Dr. Newman’s surgical abilities, “Lucian does it virtually as completely as it may be accomplished.”
“A couple of years later, I personally confronted a really critical surgical procedure,” she recollects, “a member of the pre-operative group assured me,” Dr. Newman’s sufferers all the time do effectively. ”
The son of a health care provider, Newman was a local of Dadeville, the place his old flame was exhibiting and judging the cows from his household’s farm. Fuhrman stated he nonetheless enjoys “tractor rides” on his personal ranch.
He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in highschool (later serving on the board of administrators for the Choccolocco Council of the Boy Scouts of America), performed trumpet in the highschool band, typically performed faucets at funerals, and, based on his funeral listing, buddies with “Reveille” blasts. Early within the morning.
Newman attended the College of Alabama, graduating with honors (together with Alpha Omega Alpha membership) in 1961 from the School of Medication. After finishing his coaching at College Hospital (now UAB) and surgical residencies at College and Veterans Hospitals, he spent two years within the Public Well being Service as Chief Surgeon and Service Unit Director at Indian Hospital in Claremont, Oklahoma.
Professionally, he was a Fellow and President of the Alabama Chapter of the American School of Surgeons and served as President of the Caduceus Membership, the College of Alabama School of Medication alumni service group. He was a member of the medical board for ProAssurance (a doctor’s legal responsibility insurance coverage firm) and medical director for Lifetime of Alabama.
The Gadsden & Etowah County Chamber honored Newman in 2002 with its Bobby Austin Neighborhood Affect Award, offered to an “excellent group member who has made a distinction”.
Newman was a member of the board and chair of the board at Westminster/Westbrook, and served on the varsity board and as a sports activities group doctor.
“The Newman household was a part of Westminster within the early years,” stated Fuhrmann, a former principal and nonetheless a instructor on the college. “We developed a friendship with Dr. Newman and Jane that lasted all these years. He was beneficiant, form, and supportive of actions across the college.”
Wilson, the varsity’s unique highschool principal, stated, “… I can actually say, the Newmans have been integral to (Westminster/Westbrook’s) success. In each side of its improvement, they’ve been there—not solely with experience and encouragement, but in addition With time and onerous work.
“They had been all the time prepared to open their properties and share their assets,” she stated. I do not forget that as quickly as the necessity for cash for a specific trigger arose, the Newmans provided to host a fundraising dinner for the entire college. There have been no extra beneficiant hosts; on a really wet night time a whole bunch of individuals loved their hospitality.
“Our group has misplaced an incredible group,” Wilson stated.
Newman was survived by his spouse of 65 years, Jane Leatherbury Newman, and their kids, Jane Newman Williams, Lucien Newman III, and Charles Newman, all of whom continued the household custom as physicians. He was additionally survived by seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
The visitation was scheduled for 9 a.m. on Saturdays within the church the place he was an energetic member and deacon. “He was there each Sunday until he was in surgical procedure or out of city,” stated Fuhrmann, who will conduct the service.
In lieu of flowers, the household is asking for donations to Westbrook Christian Faculty or the Gadsden Hearth Division’s EMS programme.