Master Sergeant Asa Vincent Newman

Sunrise: September 24, 1918 / Sunset: May 19, 2021

Asa Vincent Newman was born to Asa Van and Mary (Lancaster) Newman, on September 24, 1918, in Cleveland, Ohio. He was the sixth oldest of nine siblings and was the last surviving member of his family. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Donald Newman; Lawrence Newman; Mildred (Newman) Hughes (William); Maurice (Julia) Newman; Roseann (Newman) Frazier (Titus); Theresa Newman; Leonard (Maude) Newman; and Paul (Ruth) Newman.

Asa grew up on E. 68th Place at the corner of Belvidere Avenue in Cleveland, OH and attended Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, until high school. He graduated from East High School in June of 1936 and moved to Chicago, IL in 1939, with plans to attend college. His goal was delayed due to World War II, when he enlisted in the United States Army, in April 1941.  In September 1941, after it was verified that he had completed 2 years of college, he was transferred to the Tuskegee Airmen 99th Pursuit Squad of the U.S. Air Force, whose members flew to Casablanca, Morocco, Sicily and Italy. He worked as an electrician, and served as a Chief Armer, arming the Red Tail planes with bombs and working with the planes' gun sights. Asa returned home in 1945 having earned the rank of Master Sergeant.

Asa worked for the Internal Revenue Service (I.R.S.) for 10 years. In 1958, he joined the staff at the University of Chicago, but went back to Chicago's Roosevelt University to finish his degree. After graduating, in 1959, with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree, he was promoted to the position of Chief Cyclotron Operator in the Nuclear Energy Research Department. The cyclotron was also known as an atom smasher. He worked there until 1971. He then worked with the Fermi Labs, in Batavia, IL until his retirement in 1980.

Asa married his first wife, before the War. After returning home, he married his second wife, Virginia, in 1948 and they were blessed with one son, Asa V. Newman, Jr. His wife, two step-daughters, and son preceded him in death. In later years, he found love again with Sarah Smith, whom he spent his remaining years with until her death in 2009.

Highly intellectual and a hard worker, Asa knew how to enjoy life and so did all of his siblings and cousins when they got together. Asa loved fast cars and valued education and accomplishment. Living most of his adult life in Chicago, he credited his longevity to his daily walk to the neighborhood pub, for a glass of Grand Marnier and good conversation.

In 2013, Asa was presented with the Rescuer in Humanity Award, which was presented to all surviving members of the Tuskegee Airmen.

Asa moved back to Ohio, in 2015, to live with his beloved niece, Rae Ellen. A charmer until the end, Asa always had a quick smile, and loved to share his wisdom, time, love and experience with all who knew him. He loved attending Rae Ellen's formal, holiday luncheons. Conversation, food, family and fellowship were things he relished.

Asa fought two wars, both abroad and at home, which gave him a unique vantage point to witness the dynamic growth that has taken place in the world, over the last 102 years. He overcame seemingly insurmountable challenges and demonstrated tremendous integrity, courage, dignity, and decency, and remained a pillar of society.

In 2020, despite a Global pandemic, the owner of the local Home Instead organization organized a 102nd birthday celebration, in his honor. Word spread worldwide and the community, Mayors, State and Senate representatives, police, fire and countless others came out for the celebratory parade and program. Asa was given honorary membership in the American Legion Post 803 and the VFW Post 2629, along with numerous proclamations and a flag that flew over the State Capital. He also received more than 5,000 birthday cards from people representing each of the 50 U.S. States, as well as Germany, Europe, Australia, and Canada.

An honored veteran and a true legend, he led an exemplary life manifesting the virtues that we all seek to emulate. He leaves an amazing legacy, and moments of joy and laughter for his family, friends and loved ones to continue to reminisce about.

He leaves to mourn his passing: four nieces, Rae Ellen (Hughes) Campbell (Leroy), Kathy Newman, Cheretta (Newman) Moore (Darryl), and Paula Newman; four nephews, William "Bill/Butch" Newman, John (Angela) Newman, Maurice "Ricky" Newman, and Raymond (Angela) Frazier; one great niece, Allison (Hughes) Smith (Jeffrey); three great nephews, William (Robin) Hughes, Marty (Kyllan) Hughes, and Edward (Fatina) Hughes, along with a host of family, caregivers and friends.

Due to space limitations, the memorial inurnment services will be private. The family asks that you share memories, stories, and photos via the Hine Funeral Home website.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS OR TREES, please consider making a donation, in Asa V. Newman's name, to any of the following organizations: The Northcoast Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen organization c/o PO Box 470106, Broadview Heights, OH 44147; the NAACP Cleveland Branch ( http://clevelandnaacp.org/project/donate/ );  National Fallen Firefighters Foundation ( https://www.firehero.org/donate/ ) or Law Enforcement Officers Relief Fund ( https://leorf.org/ ).