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Donald Fred Newnham was born in Gloversville, NY,
on Mar 31, 1932. Excelling in school activities and academics, his favorite
subjects were mathematics, science, and French. His activities included the high
school newspaper, photography and French clubs, performing arts, bowling, and
baseball. As a member of the National Honor Society, he received a National
Merit Scholarship and graduated as valedictorian of the Class of 1950. His
superlative record attracted the attention of Representative Bernard W. Kearney
of the 31st District, who appointed him to West Point. On Jul 5, 1950, Don
entered Beast Barracks as a member of the West Point Class of 1954.
As a cadet, Don was recognized as “one of the smart guys,” and during his
Yearling year he became a “Star Man” and earned the coveted academic stars on
his collar identifying him as being in the top five percent of his class. He
showed his leadership and concern for others by earning the designation of
academic coach for his cadet company and helping company mates over the rough
spots. One of them said of him, “I’m one ... who depended on his brainpower, and
he never let us down.”
Don demonstrated varied interests and talents in such cadet activities as
camera, chess, pistol, radio, debate, mathematics, and Howitzer, and excelled in
all. In June 1954, he graduated fourth in order of general merit and ranked
second academically. He was commissioned in the Army Corp of Engineers.
The day after his graduation, he married Elaine Jensen of New York with company
mate 2nd LT. Donald Geiger, U.S. Army, as best man. After the wedding, their
first assignment was at Alexandria, VA, followed by Ft. Benning, GA, where their
son, Donald Jr., was born.
Don attended Purdue University and earned a master’s degree in electrical
engineering and witnessed the birth of identical twin daughters, Deborah and
Barbara. Other assignments included Ft. Baker, CA, as operations officer of the
561st Port Engineer Company; Ft. Belvoir, VA, supporting the installation of a
nuclear reactor in Greenland; West Point, teaching Electrical Engineering;
Vietnam, constructing power plants; West Point, as post engineer, overseeing the
construction of the upper deck of Michie Stadium, renovation of Washington Hall,
and construction of new barracks; Cambodia, advising the Cambodian Army; and Ft.
McPherson, GA, overseeing ports construction worldwide.
While stationed at West Point, his children gained fond memories of football
games, Sunday school classes taught by cadets, golf cart attendants for their
parents, ice skating, gardening, helping mom with ceramics and dad with
woodworking, and living with various pets. He was a talented, solid woodworker
who made large furniture then replicated miniatures for his daughters. One piece
holding sentimental value contains a slab of the same grey slate that is in the
floor of the Washington Hall cadet dining facility.
Don retired in 1974 as a lieutenant colonel and moved to Maitland, FL where his
family had established a home while he was in Cambodia. Continuing to use his
engineering talents, he became the Assistant Public Works Director of Orange
County FL, then for 20 years was the Public Works Director for the City of
Altamonte Springs, FL during which he expanded a treatment plant into a regional
wastewater treatment facility. He also envisioned and implemented Project
APRICOT (A Prototype Realistic Community of Today), one of the nation's first
water/reclaimed water dual distribution systems. While many credit him for
APRICOT, he told the Orlando Sentinel in 1997 that the idea came from Frontinus,
a public works commissioner in Rome (about 70 A.D.) who observed that the city's
use of unclean water for irrigation and cleaning public places was a practical
method of reclaiming water rather than wasting it. After Newnham read about
Frontinus, he used the concept to launch APRICOT. City Manager Frank Martz
commented, “While communities ... struggle with water conservation and
reclaimed water issues, Newnham put Altamonte Springs at the forefront 30 years
ago, when he helped launch one of the nation's first dual-distribution systems
for potable and reclaimed water. Mr. Newnham was decades ahead of his
time.”
Don retired from the City of Altamonte Springs in 1997 and then traveled with
Elaine, visiting many countries together. All this was in spite of the gradually
debilitating effects of his exposure to Agent Orange while serving in Vietnam.
Don aggressively fought and researched the illness, volunteering for new
treatments, sharing lessons learned with others, and sharing information about
increased quality of life benefits that were being made available as the
seriousness of the illness began to be appreciated.
Don finally succumbed to his illnesses on May 5, 2011 and was interred
with full military honors in the West Point Cemetery on Jun 17, 2011. His son
predeceased him. He is survived by his wife, twin daughters, grandsons Donnie
and Dillon, and stepbrothers George and Fred.
Well done, thou Good and Faithful Servant.
—Family and Classmates
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