This SX-70 pic that I took in 1978 is on my refrigerator door - I see Lou every day and he makes me smile.

I will always remember and continue to miss  the laughter

Nancy, George, Robbie and Families,

Our hearts are broken.  Our Louie was a force to be reckoned with!

We will always cherish our wonderful memories of this incredible soul.  May you find comfort and peace in your treasured memories.

With love,
Norman and Rachelle Craig



I have  known Nancy since jr high in Battle Creek, Michigan. We reunited at a high school reunion and realized her son and his family did not live too far from us here in Los Angeles.   Lou, Nancy, my husband and I,  would always find a way to connect when they visited.
I felt like I had known Lou as long as I did Nancy.   In all honesty, he was a real "mench" and his sincerity  truly warmed my heart. 
May Lou's Memory Be a Blessing !



 I will always remember how easily Lou smiled and laughed. He was kind, supportive and had a wealth of funny stories. He also loved dogs which I appreciated. I will miss him terribly.

We are so saddened by this news.  Lou was such a special person.  Always enjoyed our time together.  When we moved to Kansas City we got to know our 2nd cousins.  We connected with our mutual LOVE of music.  What a treat to see both Lou & Nancy play in the KC Orchestra.  Lou was always a delight and would make us laugh!  Great times.  We will miss you Lou, but will always be a treasure in our hearts and memories.  Love and Hugs to Nancy and the whole Newman Family.

Jody & Jim

I first met Louie (which I always called him) when I arrived at Indiana University in the spring of 1969 as a graduate student in sociology. He introduced me to new experiences, values, and the meaning of close friendship.  During the spring break of that semester, I flew to Chicago to participate in an orthodox Seder with his family, receive an extensive tour of the Chicago area, and meet his music professor friend from the Circle campus.
I gained insight into another dimension of Louie’s life when I peeked in the door window of a small cubicle where Louie was practicing his bass.  Besides his rapt concentration, I was amazed at the physical nature of the practice, where Louie looked like he was exercising and sweating like an athlete.
Most memorably I remember when Louie came to our house to tell my ex-wife and me in a dreamy and excited way how he met this magnificent talented and attractive woman, Nancy, who would become his wife of 53 years.  After falling in love and living together, Louie and Nancy decided to marry.  However, they were too young to marry in Indiana, so I drove them to Louisville, KY, where I had the honor to serve as a witness.  Shortly after, they went on a camping honeymoon with their beloved German shepherd, Marcy, at a nearby state park.  A few days later, weI received a phone call from a park ranger, asking us if we could please pick them up. They had become very disoriented after overzealously spraying the outside of their tent with insect repellent.  But that didn’t dissuade them from going on a second honeymoon on a motorcycle.
I will always remember my good Louie, as an adventurous and passionate man. A person lucky enough to have found his perfect other half. A person who always knew what he wanted, who worked hard and developed expertise in his craft, who was ready to undertake any endeavor, and who always had a good time getting there. But, moreover, I remember him as my longest and best friend.


I first met Louie (which I always called him) when I arrived at Indiana University in the spring of 1969 as a graduate student in sociology. He introduced me to new experiences, values, and the meaning of close friendship.  During the spring break of that semester, I flew to Chicago to participate in an orthodox Seder with his family, receive an extensive tour of the Chicago area, and meet his music professor friend from the Circle campus.
I gained insight into another dimension of Louie’s life when I peeked in the door window of a small cubicle where Louie was practicing his bass.  Besides his rapt concentration, I was amazed at the physical nature of the practice, where Louie looked like he was exercising and sweating like an athlete.
Most memorably I remember when Louie came to our house to tell my ex-wife and me in a dreamy and excited way how he met this magnificent talented and attractive woman, Nancy, who would become his wife of 53 years.  After falling in love and living together, Louie and Nancy decided to marry.  However, they were too young to marry in Indiana, so I drove them to Louisville, KY, where I had the honor to serve as a witness.  Shortly after, they went on a camping honeymoon with their beloved German shepherd, Marcy, at a nearby state park.  A few days later, we received a phone call from a park ranger, asking us if we could please pick them up. They had become very disoriented after overzealously spraying the outside of their tent with insect repellent.  But that didn’t dissuade them from going on a second honeymoon on a motorcycle.
I will always remember my good Louie, as an adventurous and passionate man. A person lucky enough to have found his perfect other half. A person who always knew what he wanted, who worked hard and developed expertise in his craft, who was ready to undertake any endeavor, and who always had a good time getting there. But, moreover, I remember him as my longest and best friend.


Dear Nancy, George, and Robbie,

There is not enough space to record all our wonderful memories of Lou. They span many years and many contexts. Connecting and permeating these memories is a strong sense of Lou’s character. Through the experiences we shared with him, we came to know Lou as a man of integrity, generosity, passion, curiosity, intelligence, and love—love for life in general and, above all, love for his family.

At this saddest of times, we hope that you are comforted by Lou’s enduring love.

Larry and Suzanne


George I'm thinking of you and your family and sending you my love.

You and I have talked about our dads so much over the years, from funny ridiculous stories to lessons learned -- and often both at the same time.  In some ways the impact Lou has had on you, he's also had on me by extension. Can't wait to see you and hug you, and to keep on living and learning together. 

Please give your brother and mom a hug from me. 
Love,
Dave

Dear Nancy, George, Robbie and families,

So much to say about our friend Lou.  A wonderful bright presence in our lives.  Luscious Lou, generous and welcoming.  Memories are inextricably tied to experiences with Nancy and her "babe Louie."

Gratitude for the 30 + years of friendship.  Walking along the road through happy adventures and challenging times.  Sharing as parents of children, B'nai Mitvot, high schoolers, college students, weddings, grandchildren and now, sadly, a funeral.

We will miss Lou's laughter, many kind acts, warmth and wealth of stories, multisyllabic recollecting, and gracious and generous hospitality.   We will love Lou forever.

Ron and Becky Sandhaus

We were fortunate that my sister and her husband were good friends with Lou and Nancy.  It meant we were able to share several great memories of holidays, weddings and outings.  Lou was always interested and cared what was happening in our lives. He will be missed but never forgotten. 
Mary and Larry Lauber

Lou and Nancy at Indiana University 1971 with two newly completed bass trunks. (photo Wilmer Fawcett)

Such very sad news! My wife Lucy and I were good friends of Lou and Nancy at Indiana University (1970-71) where we were bass colleagues and students of Murray Grodner.  Such a sweet, fun and loving couple, always a delight to be with! Lou's impish sense of humour was such a part of his personality as I remember it. And many years later when they were about to take a cruise from Seattle up the coast they called us to meet them In Seattle, and we had a wonderful reunion visit. We exchanged emails often, and again Lou's messages were always welcome, funny and warmly caring. I remember him so fondly, and we send our love and deep condolences to Nancy and the family. RIP old friend. 
128 Louis Nancy Newman.jpg

Just a funny pic to help you smile in this sad time. 

I met Lou  47 yrs ago, in 1976. I was 23 and just out of undergrad art school. (KCAI) I went to the Nelson Atkins Museum near KCAI on a Sunday afternoon where a classical quartette was playing on the marble floor of the museum. There were two double-bass players, one being Lou. I wanted to learn to play DB (I play electric bass guitar) and wanted to see if one of them gave private lessons. But which one should I ask? I decided I just liked the way Lou was playing and had a feeling he was the one to ask.  I was right! 

Nothing more to add - rest in peace Lou - strength Nancy.

Love, Beth and Geo 

My strongest memories of Lou (and Nancy, George, Robbie, Dave & Karen et al) are laughing together. We all did what we could to keep laughter on the front burner (along with the food we all shared together!) I'll miss that most about Lou and I know when Beth and I, Nancy, George, Robbie, Dave & Karen are together again - we'll share our stories about Lou and laugh again.

I lived in Chicago for 10 years and a couple years in Cincinnati  before moving to CA in 1990. The Newmans visited us at all of those places over the years and when they were in CA,  we visited the Pacific Ocean. We always loved hangin' with the Newmans.

Writing a note “In Memory” of Lou is difficult yet simple, for he was memorable.  One of the many qualities that stood out to us was that he was far from being duplicitous — what he said was what he believed about the given topic.  Of greater significance about him was the pride he had of his family, a treasure to him.  He will easily be remembered.  May God rest his soul.

Lou will occupy a place in our hearts for as long as we live.  He enjoyed the best of the simple things in life and we will miss sharing those things with him.

Dear George,
We were so sorry to hear about your dad. Please send our love to your mom and family.
With love,
Frank and Mary May

OBITUARY

Louis Newman

July 20, 1949 – January 15, 2023

Mt. Moriah, Newcomer and Freeman Funeral Home

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Updates

Services