Richard W. Newman

Richard W. Newman of Champion, Nebraska passed away Feb. 20 at his home just days after returning from a nearly two-week hospitalization in Greeley, Colorado. He was 75.
Richard’s roots ran deep in Chase County. His great-grandfather Clarence C. Cottrell was among the founders of Imperial. His grandparents Inez and John N. Newman were early farmers, ranchers and business owners in Imperial. His maternal grandparents, Katherine and Thomas Cruise, ranched near Champion.
Richard was born, July 6, 1948, in Imperial to Carmen (Cruise) and Wayne C. Newman, a U.S. Army veteran who served in World War II. After the deaths of his parents when he was a young boy, Richard and his older brother, Bruce, were raised by his Newman grandparents. A younger sister, Jean, was adopted by an aunt and uncle, Lois and W. F. Greenlee, Jr., of Oshkosh. Bruce died in an automobile accident in 1965.
Richard was in the Chase County High School class of 1966. He joined the Army after high school and served in Arizona and Alaska. After his discharge, Richard moved to a log home on the Poudre River west of Fort Collins and lived there for many years.  He later moved to Arizona and worked in the used car and car rental business. In the early 90s he moved back to Chase County, eventually settling on Main Street in Champion.
Fiercely independent and curious, Richard followed many interests:  old cars, pool, music, antiques, Western history and memorabilia, coin collecting, guns. He befriended and mentored young people and took joy in their accomplishments. He always had one or two dogs by his side. Over his life he was a ranch hand, car mechanic, logger, antique collector and dealer, pool shark, and raconteur.
Richard loved his family, friends and community, all of whom will mourn his passing.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. (MT)  Saturday, March 2, 2024 at the Champion Community Church.  A luncheon hosted by Champion Women’s Club will be held at 12 p.m. (MT) at the Champion Community Building prior to the Celebration of Life.  
Memorial contributions may be made to the Chase County Historical Society or Perkins County Animal Shelter.  
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.liewerfuneralhome.com.
Liewer Funeral Home is entrusted with the cremation.