Robert Newell
Lighting designer; devoted volunteer in his Westfield community
On Tuesday, November 24, 2020, Robert Newell lost his courageous year-long battle with cancer. He passed peacefully with his wife and daughter by his side.
Robert was born on September 8, 1952 in Summit NJ to Dr. Frank Newell and Rita Zellweger Newell, and is survived by his brother Kent, his wife, daughter, and extended family. He moved to Westfield in 1982 with his wife Pamela, and welcomed their daughter Barrett in 1986. Barrett now resides in Salem MA with her husband Shane Kirby.
Robert started his own business in Westfield, Robert Newell Lighting Design (RNLD), and was an active participant and well-respected member of the lighting community for 36 years. He was also a devoted volunteer to his town, recently marking his 30th year as a member of the Westfield Planning Board.
He also served on the Historic Preservation Commission, the Design Committee, the Downtown Westfield Corporation (DWC), Friends of Mindowaskin Park, and the Tree Commission. In 1993, he was instrumental in bringing Main Street (now the DWC) to the town, making Westfield one of 32 designated Main Street communities in NJ.
Robert was passionate about historic preservation and spent his free time maintaining his Historically Designated home and property. Among his other interests were gardening, golf, and vintage cars, but he was best known for walking his collie, newspaper in hand, around the neighborhood he adored for 38 years. In his memory, donations may be made to the National Trust for Historic Preservation or IALD.