Obituary of J. Newton White

J. Newton White, 88, of Chautauqua, NY, and New York City, passed away at 2:40 p.m. Saturday, June 30, 2018, in the Absolut of Westfield, Westfield, NY. He was born May 18, 1930 in Cambridge, Ohio, the son of the late John Hardy and Ruth Forsythe White. Newton had graduate studies at Ohio Wesleyan College and Yale University, where he studied under Donald Oenslager. Newton was a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corp during the Korean War. He was a professor at Hunter College in New York City during the 1960's and assisted his first wife Elizabeth Macleod with drama productions. Newton worked at ABC in New York City as a stage and scenic designer in the 1970's, where he designed sets, including Eyewitness News on Chanel 7. He also designed sets for the PBS News Hour in the 1970's. He was a freelance set designer in New York City, and designed a wide variety of sets that included television variety shows, soap operas (One Life to L ive), Miss America beauty pageants, off Broadway theater productions, as well as college drama department sets for Bennett College in Millbrook, NY. ("Oresteia", "Kiss Me Kate", Cabaret"), Vassar College, ("Die Fledermaus"), in addition to other school programs. In his later years, he consulted and experimented with graphics and painting. He met Anne Himebaugh in the late 1980's, and they soon married in 1990. They were happily married for the past 27 years and lived between New York City and Chautauqua, New York. The two had experienced extensive travel abroad, especially to Italy. He was a member of the River Club, The National Arts Club and the Century Club, all in New York City. Newton leaves behind his devoted wife, Anne Himebaugh-White, his son, John White, Jr. of Atlanta, GA, and two step-sons, Lyle B. Himebaugh, III of Wilton, CT and David Himebaugh of Cornelius, NC. A private service will be held at the convenience of the family. Visitation will not be observed. In lieu of flowers, Newton requested that a donation be made to The Chautauqua Foundation in support of the theater company. Please contact Geoff Follansbee at The Chautauqua Foundation, P.O. Box 28, Chautauqua, NY 14722.