Robert Newton, Pioneer of Reproductive Therapy, Dies at 87

Obituary via Duckett Funeral Home of JS Waterman:

SUDBURY, MA — Dr. Robert Newton, M.D., F.A.C.S., 87, of Sudbury, died Sunday, April 3, 2016 in Sudbury.

Born September 17, 1928, in Boston, he was the son of Dr. Francis C. and Helen (Prentiss) Newton. Robert was raised in Newton Centre and graduated from Deerfield Academy in 1946. He received a B. A. in English from Amherst College in 1950 and received an M. D. from Cornell University Medical College in 1954. Dr. Newton served in the Medical Corps Reserves and worked as a physician for 58 years.

As a noted urologist, Dr. Newton was chief resident at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital and practiced at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. He also served as chief of the Urology division at Newton-Wellesley Hospital and developed the Andrology Division of Lahey Clinic in 1993. Dr. Newton was a founding member of the Society for the Study of Male Reproduction as well as several other medical societies, including the American Society of Andrology, American Urologist Association, American College of Surgeons, American Fertility Society, Boston Surgical Society, New England Microsugical Society, American Association of Tissue Banks and the European Society of Human Reproduction Embryology.

A pioneer in reproductive therapy, Dr. Robert Newton has helped countless individuals and couples achieve their dreams of parenthood in his 50 years of medical practice. As one of the first specialists in Andrology, the study of male fertility, Dr. Newton founded the Newton Andrology and Cryogenic Center and the New England Sperm Bank (now known as the New England Cryogenic Center) in 1971. His mission was to improve research in Andrology and to provide sperm banking and donation services to couples confronted with infertility.

His interests were many. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed annual fishing trips to Quebec as a member of the Orleans Fish and Game Club. He was also a member of the Society of Colonial Wars and Ancient and Honorable Artillery Society. He was an active member of the Holy Trinity Anglican Church of Marlborough and served on the Vestry and in the choir. Dr. Newton was passionate about gardening and his special interests were reblooming iris, azalea, rhododendroms and daylilies. He was actively reading politics, history and poetry up until his death.

Loving father of Diana Newton Wood of Sudbury, Jennifer Newton Flory of WA, Daniel Newton of Waterville, Valley, NJ; cherished grandfather of John C. Wood III, William Newton Dunphy, Timothy Newton Dunphy, Olivia Flory, Eliza Flory, Bobby Newton, Kiah Newton; proud great-grandfather of John C. Wood IV and Heather L. Wood.

He was predeceased by his brothers, Francis Jr., Alan and Thomas Newton.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 9, 2016 at 10AM at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church of Marlborough, 52 Church Street, Marlborough. Interment at Mt. Wadsworth Cemetery in Sudbury will be private.

Calling hours will be held Friday, April 8, 2016 from 4-8PM at the Duckett – J. S. Waterman & Sons Home of Memorial Tribute, 656 Boston Post Road, Sudbury.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions be made in his memory to the church: HolyTrinityMarlborough.org