David Harton Newbern

DAVID HARTON NEWBERN passed away on April 24, 2022. He was born on March 14, 1930, in Little Rock and raised in Hope where his mother, Mary Ellen Harton Newbern, taught ballet and his father, George Pierce Newbern, Jr. was a travelling dry goods salesman. He was quite comfortable growing up in the small southern town of Hope, Ark. So comfortable, in fact, that his mother told the story of a young five-year-old David walking down the street with no clothes on. She asked him, "David, what happened to your clothes?" To which he responded, "Got hot." He went on to graduate from Hope High School where he played the clarinet in the band and was in the Thespian club. He later attended the University of Arkansas and was in the Razorback marching band and the Sigma Chi fraternity. After four years at U of A for Medical Sciences he moved to Dallas for a year-long internship at UT Southwestern Medical center where he would meet his future wife Elizabeth Edna Young (Bettyed) who was studying Spanish at SMU. At this point he enlisted in the Air Force Reserves as he entered his Radiology residency at Bowman Gray in Winston Salem, N.C. As a reservist he would use his rare vacation time to catch a jumpseat flight to Spain where Bettyed was studying for her Masters degree in Spanish. They married in 1959 in Pine Bluff and made their home in South Ruislip, England, where he served as an Air Force Radiologist and Captain and where his first two children, Gordon and Murry were born. He often recounted that this period living as a young couple stationed in Europe was among the happiest times of his life and provided great opportunities for travel. In 1962 their growing family transferred to Orlando, Fla., to finish out his service time; while he was there, one duty was his reading x-rays for the Mercury Program astronauts at Cape Canaveral. 1963 found David and Bettyed having moved back to Little Rock, Ark., and continuing to grow their family, with George and John being born in 1963 and 1965. Through the 70's and 80's David and Bettyed worked and raised their family. The untimely death of Bettyed in 1980 brought great sadness and a new challenge as a single parent. The love and support of family and friends carried David and family forward. He pursued his interest in the outdoors with many weekends spent on the Buffalo River in the family cabin overlooking the river. Canoeing, fishing, hiking, hunting morel mushrooms and gathering water cress were activities he enjoyed sharing with Bettyed and children. He loved being out in nature, and was especially fascinated by large old trees; when travelling he would always seek out the local arboretum. He derived great satisfaction from his work as a radiologist. One of the seven founding partners of Radiology Associates, he was proud of being in the forefront in quality of service the group provided. He helped guide the group to always bring in the most up-to-date imaging technology and best-trained and specialized new doctors as the group expanded. As an example, the group installed one the first CT Scanners in the United States. After early retirement in 1987 he continued part time work as a ‘locum tenens' radiologist, allowing him to travel and work all over the United States for several years. His never-ending curiosity led him to travel far and wide and make friends of fellow travelers all over the globe. He read voraciously, expanding on a lifelong love of history. He always enjoyed music and derived great pleasure listening to opera, classical, big band and jazz music. He was very much a family man, always present at family gatherings, plays, recitals and remaining close to extended family. Though a shy and private person, once engaged in conversation he was fascinating company. Additionally, others remember his unfailingly beautiful manners. His children are most proud of his kind and generous nature. Coworkers remember him fondly for this. He is preceded in death by his wife, Bettyed; his parents; and his brothers George Pierce Newbern III and Benjamin Love Newbern. He is survived by his children, Gordon (Linda)Newbern, Murry "Sister" Newbern (Steve Shults), George (Marietta) Newbern and John (Jennifer) Newbern; grandchildren Elizabeth, Mollie, Baird and Sarah Newbern, David and George Aspesi, Emma, Mae and Ben Newbern; and Mallory and Pete Newbern; sister-in-law, Mary Lou Newbern; nephew, Peter Newbern; nieces, Katherine Jones and Anna O'Connor; The Newbern Family wishes to express special thanks to his wonderful caregivers Doris Walker, Stephanie Johnson and Brittiney Hill. In lieu of flowers please send memorial gifts to The Ozark Society Foundation, PO Box 2914, Little Rock, AR 72203 or to the charity of your choice. Visitation with the family will be Monday April 25, 2022, from 4-6 p.m. at Ruebel Funeral Home, 6313 W. Markham St., Little Rock, AR 72205. Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com