Obituary of Porter Anthony Newman

Porter Anthony Newman, after a long and full life, passed away with family by his side on August 29th, 2011. A Camas resident since the 1950's, he was born the second of three children on March 8th, 1924 to Anton and Nora Shively Newman in Jamestown, ND. After graduating High School in 1942, he enlisted in the Navy ROTC, served in Minot, ND then was transferred to the University of Washington in Seattle, WA to study engineering. After graduation and the end of World War II, he worked at the Longview Fiber paper mill in Longview, WA. In 1952, he moved to the Crown Zellerbach paper mill in Camas, WA to work as an engineer. In Camas, he met Mary Hansen at a picnic in 1954. They married in 1956 at the Camas First Baptist Church and raised a family. Life was filled with friends, extended family, church, summer vacations to the beach, boating and scouts. Porter enjoyed work at the paper mill. He was known there by many as he was often in various areas of the mill planning projects. Occasional lunches with friends from work at the Bigfoot Tavern in nearby Washougal were also a treat. Outside of work, he took time to experience the beauty of the Pacific Northwest with its rivers, forests and mountains. He climbed Mt Hood and Mt St Helens. After retiring in 1989 from the paper mill, Porter continued to be active with the Camas Library Board, projects at Camp Arrah Wanna near Mt Hood, planting trees, the local Gideons, and of course, with his family - especially his grandsons. Porter leaves his wife of 55 years, Mary Newman; his son Paul and his wife Jendy, and their son Peter; his daughter Lois Toedtli and her husband Todd, and their sons Tyler and Ryan; his sister Norma Callaghan; many nieces and nephews; plus many, many friends who always comment on how much they enjoyed Porter's friendly, genuine manner. Porter is preceded in death by his parents and his sister Annette Meredith. A memorial gathering will be held Sunday, September 18th, 2pm at 15209 NE Fourth Plain Blvd, Vancouver, WA. Parking is located just off of NE 152nd Avenue. Straub's Funeral Home & Columbia River Cremation in Camas was in charge of the arrangements. To send condolences or to sign the online guest book please visit www.straubsfuneralhome.com In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in memory of Porter be made to the Friends and Foundation of the Camas Library, PO Box 620, Camas, WA 98607.