Donald Patrick Newell

On January 20th, 2017 Donald Patrick Newell, beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend, and colleague passed away peacefully in Pinehurst, NC. Growing up in Los Angeles, Pat attended Catholic elementary schools and Loyola High School, where he received a fine education and played football. He went on to U.C. Berkeley where he majored in Business Administration and was a 3-year letterman on the Cal football team. One of Pat’s proudest achievements was serving as Co-Captain and starting offensive tackle for Cal’s 1959 football team, a year in which they won the Pacific Coast Conference Championship and played in The Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Pat graduated summa cum laude in 1960 with numerous honors including being named a 1960 National Football Foundation Scholar Athlete. After completing his military service, Pat attended Boalt Law School and in 1964 joined Latham & Watkins in the Los Angeles office. He moved to San Diego in the early 1980s, where he became one of the leading Corporate lawyers of his generation. A distinguished and remarkably gifted lawyer, Pat was also a selfless and spirited leader and mentor, serving on the firm’s Executive Committee and as the Office Managing Partner of the San Diego office from 1986-2000. After retiring from Latham & Watkins, Pat served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel for SCPIE Holdings. Pat also served on Boards of Directors including Mercury General Insurance, SCPIE Holdings, and Jacmar. Pat and Susan lived in Rancho Santa Fe, CA for more than 30 years. Upon Pat’s retirement from SCPIE, they moved to Pinehurst, NC. where they enjoyed golfing, taking daily walks with their dogs, and spending time with family and friends. Pat also joined a local Bridge group, ‘The Wolves’, where he spent many hours improving his game and developing valuable friendships. Pat was a dedicated member of the Catholic Church in Rancho Santa Fe, CA and Pinehurst, NC. Pat was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Dorothy and his beloved brother, John. He is survived by his wife Susan, his four children Michael Newell, Katie Newell Dudensing, Allison Newell Demetracopoulos, and John Newell, their spouses, and his eight loving and adoring grandchildren. Pat was a true gentleman whose optimism touched all he came in contact with, both personally and professionally. His family and friends will continue to be inspired by his love, humility, prodigious talents, and principled leadership. Their greatest regret is they did not have more time with him, and that Pat did not get to see his beloved Cal Bears return to The Rose Bowl. A celebration of Pat’s life will be held on January 30th at the Church of the Nativity in Rancho Santa Fe, followed by a reception at Rancho Valencia. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Pat Newell to the Class of 1956 Scholarship Fund at Loyola High School, 1901 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90006.