Mr. Robert V. New, Jr.

Robert Valentine New, Jr., a 35 year veteran in the financial services industry, devoted husband, father, and servant leader, passed away on Sunday, April 18, 2010. A man of integrity and enthusiasm, Bob developed a broad array of friendships and had a stimulating effect upon all he encountered. He was accepting and trusting of people, politically sensitive, and a fair-minded individual whose superior problem solving skills allowed him to enjoy the challenges he met. Optimistic and positive in his outlook, he had an innate ability to build and facilitate successful teams.

Born in Pasadena, California, on October 26, 1951, Bob was the eldest child of Robert Valentine New and Arline May Smith New. The family also lived in Greenville, Delaware and later in Alexandria, Virginia. Growing up, Bob had a passion for sports and he played as many team sports as he could.

As a ninth grade student, he entered the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, Texas. A private preparatory military school for young men, MMA is based on the traditions, values, and ideals of the United States Marine Corps. He lettered in football, basketball, swimming, and he earned his private pilot’s license. There he became a company commander, received the Superintendent’s Award as well as the Military Leadership Award, and graduated with academic honors. Mr. New believed “the Marine Military Academy breeds success, and it was where I learned the core values upon which I chose to base my life.”

Bob enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, attending boot camp during the summer. He was an honor graduate of the USMC Platoon Leader’s Class and was honorably discharged.

At Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration. There he played intramural sports and during his senior year, he joined the football team as a walk-on.

On a weekend visit to The University of Texas at Austin, he spotted a picture of Pamela Ann Roche in a sorority composite. The two were married at Margarite B. Parker Chapel on the campus of Trinity University on June 26, 1976.

Bob’s career began in San Antonio at Southwest Texas National Bank. He served in various capacities with Texas Commerce Bancshares/ Chemical Bank from 1981 through 1988, and was fortunate to be mentored by Ben F. Love who said, “It is time to test those young broad Marine Corps shoulders of yours” as he was named President of Texas Commerce Bank-Southwest Houston, then Clear Lake, and then San Antonio Northwest. He worked with NCNB/NationsBank/Bank of America from 1988 until 2001 in Houston and Dallas in various capacities with the Consumer Banking, the Business Banking, the Premier Banking, and the Commercial Banking Groups. From 2001 until 2005, Bob worked with Coastal Banc/Hibernia National Bank as an Executive Vice President and Chief Banking Officer. He was President and CEO of GreenBank from 2006 until 2007, which led to the acquisition of Redstone National Bank, and from 2007 until 2009, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of FNB Corporation in Hermitage, Pennsylvania.

Mr. New served on numerous boards and was affiliated with many organizations which include: The Sales Excellence Institute of the University of Houston Bauer College of Business advisory board, Greater Houston Partnership, Council of Better Business Bureaus national board, Houston Better Business Bureau, Dallas Better Business Bureau, University of Houston National Advisory Council, Southern Methodist University Tate Lecture Series, Trinity University National Alumni Board, The Marine Military Academy Board of Trustees and executive committee, Sam Houston Area Council of Boy Scouts, Houston Technology Center Advisory board, Gulf Coast Consumer Credit Counseling Service board, Leadership Dallas Alumni Board and Program Director, American Cancer Society Houston board and President Bay Area Chapter, Humana Hospital Clear Lake, Leadership Clear Lake board as well as executive committee and organizer, Houston Economic Development Foundation Space Biotechnology Task Force, Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, and member of the Technology Executive Club of Houston.

In 2002, he was appointed to The State of Texas Personal Privacy Task Force.

His honors include Five Outstanding Young Texans, Five Outstanding Young Houstonians, and Marine Military Distinguished Alumnus.

In 1979, Bob was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, was treated, and enjoyed thirty years in remission. In 2009, he was diagnosed with cancer again, treated and declared cancer free. He died of respiratory complications which may have been a side effect of his treatments; however, he fought hard to triumph over each challenge until the end of his life, and he served as an inspiration to his family and friends. He loved hunting, fishing, golf, tennis, and he volunteered to coach his son’s many team sports. He loved volunteering and traveling with his wife, making the most of each day they were given together over the thirty-three years they were married.

Bob new is survived by his wife, Pamela Ann Roche New, his son, Robert Valentine New III and wife Kelly Elizabeth New, sister Bonnie Arline New, M.D., and brother Michael Archer New, as well as numerous other extended family members who will miss him dearly.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from six o’clock until eight o’clock on Friday evening, the 23rd of April at Forest Park The Woodlands, 18000 I-45 South, The Woodlands, Texas.

The funeral service is to be conducted at 2 o’clock in the afternoon on the 24th of April in the chapel at Forest Park The Woodlands. Graveside services will take place immediately after, and friends are then invited to gather with the family during a reception to be held in the Fireside Room. .

Mr. New believed in the core values that were instilled in him early in life at the Marine Military Academy. Contributions in memory of Robert V. New, Jr. may be made to the Scholarship Fund at The Marine Military Academy, Attn: Lt. Col Robert Grider, 320 Iwo Jima Blvd, Harlingen, TX 78550.

The family would like to thank The Woodlands United Methodist Church for their care and compassion. Contributions may also be made in memory of Robert V. New, Jr. to The Woodlands United Methodist Church Foundation, Inc., 2200 Lake Woodlands Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77380.

For more information about the life of Robert Valentine New, Jr., to sign the register book, or to offer your memories of Robert to the family please visit www.forestparkthewoodlands.com .