St. Elmo Newton, III, M.D., (S ’61, OR ’64)

May 19, 1934 – October 30, 2023

St. Elmo Newton, III, M.D., 89, of Seattle, Washington, passed away on October 30, 2023. He was born in Memphis, Tennessee on May 19, 1934. St. Elmo graduated from Central High School in Memphis and then attended Vanderbilt University, where he completed the curriculum in three years before being accepted, one PE class short of an undergraduate degree, by the University of Tennessee Medical School. After medical school, he completed his orthopedic residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and engaged in a series of specialty internships in New York City and Los Angeles.

In 1965, he and his then-wife, Patricia Patton Newton (Fearey), and their young son drove across the country to Seattle so that he could begin his 45 years of service as an orthopedic surgeon. He performed countless surgeries at Swedish Hospital while a Partner at Seattle Orthopedic & Fracture Clinic (now known as OPA Ortho / Orthopedic Physician Associates). After his retirement, St. Elmo was proud to secure his undergraduate degree from the University of Washington at the tender age of 77.

St. Elmo belonged to multiple orthopedic associations, working up to President in all, including the Western Orthopedic Association. He chaired nearly every committee at Swedish, served as Chief of Staff, and served on the Board of Trustees. All the while, he taught at the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, performed research for the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, contributed chapters in medical textbooks, and served as a Clinical Professor of Orthopedics at the University of Washington.

St. Elmo had a quiet and gentle yet strong presence. He loved his family deeply, and his generosity had no limits. Every nook and cranny of his home featured photographs of his children, grandchildren, friends, and his devoted friend and companion, Roly Alhadeff. His home was also filled with hand-made paintings, carvings, and sculptures, many of which he received in lieu of payment from patients who could not afford his services. In certain circumstances, St. Elmo also was known to accept payment in the form of homemade jams and jellies. In his spare time, he loved participating in family activities, reading, traveling, attending the Seattle Ballet, gardening, and cooking (in particular, his famous pecan pie). Sailing was also close to his heart, and he was a longtime member of the Seattle Yacht Club. After dropping anchor at his portage of choice, St. Elmo would often enjoy a nice Mount Gay Rum and cigar on the back of his boat, watching the sunset. We hope he is doing that now.

St. Elmo is survived by his two children, Shelby Newton Goodrum (Tom Goodrum) and Saint Elmo Newton, IV; seven grandchildren – Elizabeth Patton Goodrum (“Betsy”), Sarah Lanier Goodrum (“Laney”), Brittany Nicole Newton, Saint Elmo Newton V, Austin Fraser Newton, Jonathan Brewer Newton, and David Glenn Newton; his sister, Gynel Newton Wilson, and his brother, Eugene Brewer Newton.

The family will gather for a private burial and host a celebration of life this coming spring. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making donations to Seattle Children’s Hospital, the Seattle Times Fund for the Needy, or a charity of one’s choice.