Obituary of Robert F. Newby

Robert F. Newby, 83, of Norristown, PA, son of the late Harold Newby and Frances (McCracken) Newby, passed away Sunday January 31, 2016. He was born in Philadelphia, PA on March 31, 1932. A graduate of Temple University, Robert served as a Corporal in the Army stationed in Salzburg, Austria. He then worked at Sun Oil company before pursuing his passion returning to school to earn his Masters Degree in special education. A long and fulfilling career as a teacher and administrator at The Pennsylvania School for the Deaf followed. Mr. Newby saw the need for special learning materials for his students and thus began Newby Visualanguage, a curriculum of beautifully illustrated books and materials geared towards the language impaired. Published and sold to schools and programs around the world and still in use today. These educational materials were the first of its kind raising the reading level of deaf children multiple levels and used in many countries due to their diverse ethnic illustrations. He loved music, art, movies, reading, had a big green thumb and a great eye for photography. Give him a minute, or maybe ten, he would proudly tell you a story of one his children or grandchildren. Always animated and with enthusiasm. He will be missed by all of us including his wife of 64 years Helen (McNichol) Newby of Norristown, PA, his children Gregg (& Terry) Newby, Charleston, SC, Kelly (& Gail Kantor) Newby of Valley Village, CA, Jeff (& Marie) Newby Mt. Laurel, NJ, brother Richard Newby of Media, PA, sister Linda (Jim) Rich of Norristown, PA and his 5 Grandchildren Shawn, Meghan, Nicole, Shannon & Colin. His Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, February 4, 2016 at 11:00 AM from the Moore, Snear & Ruggiero Funeral Home, 19 East Germantown Pike, East Norriton, PA 19401. Friends may call on Thursday morning from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at the Funeral Home. Internment will take place in George Washington Memorial Park, Plymouth Meeting, PA. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to: Wounded Warriors at Woundedwarriorproject.org