Charles "Chuck" Whiting Newton

Charles Whiting Newton III (“Chuck”) was a loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and friend. He passed away while surrounded by his loving family on November 17, 2025, at the age of 84. He was predeceased by his devoted wife of 54 years, Cynthia Hewitt Newton, who passed away in 2021. He is survived by his daughter, Megan Newton Clark (husband Dan), son, Charlie Newton (wife Lisa), and six adoring grandchildren, Jackson Clark, Ainsley Clark, Emma Newton, Elizabeth Newton, Kate Newton and Lucy Newton. Chuck was born on July 31, 1941, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Charles Whiting Newton Jr. and Jane Garnett Newton. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor later that year, his family moved from Hawaii to Ann Arbor, Michigan. He grew up in Ann Arbor where he was an avid golfer and hockey player. He took his talents to the University of Michigan where he graduated with a B.A. in English (1963) and was captain of the varsity golf team. He then attended medical school at the University of Michigan (M.D. 1967). After graduating from medical school, Chuck married the love of his life, Cyndy. Shortly after their wedding, Chuck and Cyndy moved to Seattle, Washington, where Chuck completed his internship at Virginia Mason Hospital. They then moved back to Ann Arbor to begin building a family and for Chuck to conduct his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Michigan. After completing his residency, Chuck joined the United States Air Force where he was stationed at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippine Islands from 1972 to 1974. During his service as a Major in the Air Force, Chuck was the primary physician for 23 prisoners of war that were released from Hòa Lò Prison (a.k.a. the Hanoi Hilton). At the conclusion of the war, Chuck moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he raised his children, practiced obstetrics and gynecology for 36 years, primarily at St. Mary’s Hospital (now Trinity) and Blodgett Memorial Medical Center (now Corewell Health) and continued to dominate local golf courses (primarily Kent Country Club where he won one club championship and was a few missed putts away from many more). After retiring in 2010, Chuck and Cyndy moved to Traverse City, where they built great friendships with their neighbors on Old Mission Peninsula and reconnected with old friends. During his professional career, Chuck took joy delivering thousands of babies. He served the medical community as a member of the Executive Council of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and Chair of the Michigan Section of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. He enjoyed his academic roles as Professor at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Interim Program Director of Grand Rapids Medical Education and Research Center, Director of Blodgett Memorial Medical Center’s Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Program, and Associate Director of Spectrum Health’s Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Program. His volunteer service included years serving as Medical Director of Planned Parenthood Clinics of Western Michigan and Northern Michigan. Chuck took great joy in being a husband, father and grandfather. He loved tender moments with his children and grandchildren, hitting a flush golf shot, capturing a good picture, seeing the joy of new parents after he delivered their newborn baby, eating ice cream and being loved by his wife Cyndy. His kind gentle soul, sincere smile, inquisitive mind and perfect golf swing will be dearly missed. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to St. Jude (www.stjude.org) on his behalf. Please feel free to share your thoughts and memories with Chuck’s family at his tribute page at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.

Charles "Chuck" Whiting Newton

July 31, 1941 - November 17, 2025