April 10, 2020
Former CHINFO; USNPAA Life Member
The Passing of RADM Bruce Newell
Dear USNPAA Members:
I am saddened to report the passing of RADM Bruce Newell, a former CHINFO. Rear Admiral Newell passed away on Thursday, 9 April. He was 87.
Rear Admiral Newell was a nuclear SWO when he assumed leadership of our community. Although never having been a PAO, he definitely had the energy of one—and that energy was contagious. That energy also translated into leadership, and I feel very fortunate to have had the privilege of working for him as his executive assistant when he assumed office in 1980.
The PAO community quickly ‘adopted’ him as one of our own. Although he did not know us personally or what we really did when he arrived, he quickly got to know us; saw our value; spoke about that value on the E-Ring; and became the PA community’s greatest cheerleader. Needless to say, he was a quick-study, and we should feel grateful for the leadership he provided us.
On behalf of the entire U.S. Navy Public Affairs Association, I want to express my sorrow to Rear Admiral Newell’s son, Rob. Rob, many of you know, is a retired 1650 Captain and currently serves in CHINFO as the director of Community Outreach. I think it speaks volumes that Rob wanted to join our community.
To Rob and the entire Newell family, please know the respect we had for your Dad. We have a deep respect for his service to the Public Affairs community and our country.
Pasted below is a message that Rear Admiral Charlie Brown passed to former CHINFOs on Rear Admiral Newell’s passing.
Tom Jurkowsky
April 10, 2020
A Note from current CHINFO
Fellow CHINFOs,
It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Rear Adm. Bruce Newell, the Navy’s 14th Chief of Information, yesterday afternoon at age 87.
Bruce served as CHINFO from August 1980 – June 1982, and as a Surface Warfare Officer, he had a unique perspective of our Public Affairs community. His son Rob, a retired Navy Captain PAO and our current director of Community Outreach at CHINFO, shared this about his Dad:
“He loved the Public Affairs Community. He was a Nuke SWO….back when the Navy had those guys. He commanded three ships….an ocean-going tug as a LCDR (TAKELMA); a DDG (ADAMS) and a CGN (BAINBRIDGE), but the experience that always seemed to put the biggest smile on his face was his tour as the CHINFO. “There were just such great people in that community,” he would always tell me. “I loved them!” Tom Jurkowsky was his EA….John Carman was his aide. And Judy Van was doing Public Inquiries. I was in high school then….and being in the Navy was the furthest thing from my mind….but I guess something must have sunk in. Over the years, he reveled in the updates that I would give him about what was going on. ‘How’s the Navy Rob?’ He used to say.”
Here in the CHINFO office, we have displayed on the wall a framed set of Bruce’s cufflinks, engraved with the inscription, “Truth Well Told.” That is such a perfect way to describe the ideal of our profession. Bruce’s legacy provides us an even great ideal to aspire to: Life Well Lived.
Bruce had a tremendous career of service to our nation, our Navy and Navy public affairs. His enthusiasm and spirit remain with us.
Rob and his family will celebrate Bruce’s life in a small service in Pennsylvania in accordance with the present limitations on gatherings. Later this summer, we expect there will be a burial service here in Arlington. I will keep you posted on those plans as they develop.
Very respectfully,
Charlie
More Notes from the Admiral
Former CHINFO; USNPAA Life Member
The Passing of RADM Bruce Newell
Dear USNPAA Members:
I am saddened to report the passing of RADM Bruce Newell, a former CHINFO. Rear Admiral Newell passed away on Thursday, 9 April. He was 87.
Rear Admiral Newell was a nuclear SWO when he assumed leadership of our community. Although never having been a PAO, he definitely had the energy of one—and that energy was contagious. That energy also translated into leadership, and I feel very fortunate to have had the privilege of working for him as his executive assistant when he assumed office in 1980.
The PAO community quickly ‘adopted’ him as one of our own. Although he did not know us personally or what we really did when he arrived, he quickly got to know us; saw our value; spoke about that value on the E-Ring; and became the PA community’s greatest cheerleader. Needless to say, he was a quick-study, and we should feel grateful for the leadership he provided us.
On behalf of the entire U.S. Navy Public Affairs Association, I want to express my sorrow to Rear Admiral Newell’s son, Rob. Rob, many of you know, is a retired 1650 Captain and currently serves in CHINFO as the director of Community Outreach. I think it speaks volumes that Rob wanted to join our community.
To Rob and the entire Newell family, please know the respect we had for your Dad. We have a deep respect for his service to the Public Affairs community and our country.
Pasted below is a message that Rear Admiral Charlie Brown passed to former CHINFOs on Rear Admiral Newell’s passing.
Tom Jurkowsky
April 10, 2020
A Note from current CHINFO
Fellow CHINFOs,
It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Rear Adm. Bruce Newell, the Navy’s 14th Chief of Information, yesterday afternoon at age 87.
Bruce served as CHINFO from August 1980 – June 1982, and as a Surface Warfare Officer, he had a unique perspective of our Public Affairs community. His son Rob, a retired Navy Captain PAO and our current director of Community Outreach at CHINFO, shared this about his Dad:
“He loved the Public Affairs Community. He was a Nuke SWO….back when the Navy had those guys. He commanded three ships….an ocean-going tug as a LCDR (TAKELMA); a DDG (ADAMS) and a CGN (BAINBRIDGE), but the experience that always seemed to put the biggest smile on his face was his tour as the CHINFO. “There were just such great people in that community,” he would always tell me. “I loved them!” Tom Jurkowsky was his EA….John Carman was his aide. And Judy Van was doing Public Inquiries. I was in high school then….and being in the Navy was the furthest thing from my mind….but I guess something must have sunk in. Over the years, he reveled in the updates that I would give him about what was going on. ‘How’s the Navy Rob?’ He used to say.”
Here in the CHINFO office, we have displayed on the wall a framed set of Bruce’s cufflinks, engraved with the inscription, “Truth Well Told.” That is such a perfect way to describe the ideal of our profession. Bruce’s legacy provides us an even great ideal to aspire to: Life Well Lived.
Bruce had a tremendous career of service to our nation, our Navy and Navy public affairs. His enthusiasm and spirit remain with us.
Rob and his family will celebrate Bruce’s life in a small service in Pennsylvania in accordance with the present limitations on gatherings. Later this summer, we expect there will be a burial service here in Arlington. I will keep you posted on those plans as they develop.
Very respectfully,
Charlie
More Notes from the Admiral