Brent "Newt" Newton, RIP

[cc]

Friends recall Newt

Benefit scheduled for Sunday to assist family of devoted father and passionate skier.

By Michael Pearlman

Valley skiers frequenting Jackson Hole Mountain Resort's Aerial Tram line recognized Brent "Newt" Newton for his outlandish "Tweaker" sunglasses, sunny disposition and enthusiasm for skiing.

But close friends remember another side to Newton, that of a devoted father and volunteer firefighter whose love for his two sons husky latin women 2-year-old Owen and 9-week-old Warren husky latin women was unparalleled. Brent and his wife of three years, Sheryl, worked different schedules husky latin women she as a Teton Club concierge and he as a waiter at the Cowboy Steakhouse husky latin women so that their two children would never have to be in day care.

"The love he had for his kids was incredible," friend Matt Sheets said. "He would come home and still have his jacket on and have one of his kids in his arms. Even if he had a super hard day, he'd always find time for the rest of the family."

On Friday, Newton, 39, was in his usual spot in the tram line, ready to enjoy the 16 inches of new snow the resort had received the previous day. Around 10:30 a.m., witnesses saw Newton jump from a rock buttress bordering Insomnia, one of the Expert Chutes above the Thunder lift. The force of the impact from the 50-foot cliff jump created a large crater that collapsed the snow around Newton's head, burying him. Skiers rushed to dig him out of the snow, with ski patrollers right behind them. He was rushed downhill to the Teton Village Clinic and then St. John's Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. Teton County coroner Bob Campbell said Newton died of suffocation due to collapsed lungs and a blow to the head.

In the wake of Newton's death, a group of his closest friends has spearheaded a community effort to assist the well-liked skier's family. The Newtons had recently moved into an affordable home in Wilson, and Cheryl remains committed to raising her children in the valley. A benefit scheduled for 8 p.m. on Sunday at the Mangy Moose will feature live music, a silent auction and raffle prizes in an effort to raise money for the family.

"We got this house together, and it has all his memories in it," Cheryl Newton said Monday. "I hope the boys will get to know their dad through all the stories his friends will have. If we moved, they'd lose that, and that's so important to me."

Longtime connection

Newton's connection to his oldest Jackson friends dates back to Durango, Colo., in the late 1980s. Videographer and photographer Rick Armstrong was in high school when he first met Newton, who lived in a house with a skateboard ramp the younger Armstrong would hang out at during the summer.

"After the skate ramp got put away, I ended up skiing with him every day," Armstrong recalled. "He helped get me into skiing."

Armstrong and his friend Aaron Pruzman, Rendezvous River Sports owner, would eventually move to Jackson Hole, where they were later joined by Durango friends and future Jackson fixtures Dave French, Gordy Richman, Jimmy Kurzon and Ned Hutchinson.

"We were all a super-tight group of friends, and I stayed in touch with Brent when he lived in Steamboat and Breckenridge," Armstrong said. "He came up here two or three times over the years and really loved it. I'll never forget the day he gave me a call and said, 'I've got this super-cool girlfriend, and we want to move to Jackson'."

Newton spent winters in Steamboat Springs, Colo., from 1988 to 1994, where he was known for his fondness for mogul skiing, even competing briefly on the pro mogul tour. Friend John Stritt of Steamboat described Newton as "someone who knew no boundaries, and if he did, he'd challenge them."

"He had a greeting and a smile that was infectious and touching. You'd walk away from him and think he was really happy," Stritt said. "He brought me through some tough times in my life. That's just how he was."

Stritt, Newton and Armstrong were part of a group of hardcore skiers and mountain bikers in Durango known as the "Rad Pack." It was within this group that the unique "Tweaker" sunglasses Newton was famous for wearing were born.

"We used Vuarnets, but it was kind of a secret as to how it was done," Stritt said. "Newt would heat 'em up, switch the lenses and give em a little bit of a tweak. Any time he got a pair, he was tweaking his sunglasses."

Each summer, Newton would return to Pebble Beach, Calif., to work and save money to spend his winter skiing. He and Sheryl met there in 1995, and she opted to abandon her career as an innkeeper to move to Colorado with him the following winter.

Epitomized ski culture

Newton and Sheryl moved to the valley in 1997, renting a condominium in Teton Village intent on skiing as much as possible. Newton's tireless enthusiasm and gung-ho attitude towards skiing made him a recognizable figure to the tight-knit community of hard-core Mountain Resort skiers. After his first winter, Newton became a member of the Jackson Hole Air Force, a fraternity of elite skiers known for the their passion for skiing and pursuit of eye-popping terrain. Friend and ski partner Jason Tattersall said Newton wasn't notorious for leaping big cliffs, but simply enjoyed amassing vertical and spending time in the terrain around Teton Village.

"He skied for the right reasons; Newt was a classic guy," Tattersall said. "He liked the ski hill. That was his style."

In December 2000, the Jackson Hole News featured the couple in an article about ski bum culture. Newton had put in work weeks of more than 60 hours the previous summer in order to take the winter off to ski. He and Cheryl celebrated the millennium by logging more than 100 days skiing that winter.

"Newt epitomized the ski culture," Armstrong said. "He regarded skiing as a way of life and a way of family."

In September 2001, Newt and Cheryl were married at the top of Rendezvous Peak, and Owen was born a year later. Newton reveled in fatherhood and could be seen almost daily during the summer riding his bicycle on the pathway between Teton Village and Wilson, pulling Owen in a trailer.

"The most amazing thing was watching him hold his son," Sheryl said. "He just lit up every time he held his children. That's just a quality you don't see until it happens."

To assist Newton's family, friends have established the Brent Newton Family Foundation. For information on making a tax-deductible contribution, visit the Web site at www.brentnewtonfam ilyfoundation.com
Respond to this article by e-mailing publisher@jhnewsandguide.com

[slim]

But close friends remember another side to Newton, that of a devoted father and volunteer firefighter whose love for his two sons husky latin women 2-year-old Owen and 9-week-old Warren husky latin women was unparalleled. Brent and his wife of three years, Sheryl, worked different schedules husky latin women she as a Teton Club concierge and he as a waiter at the Cowboy Steakhouse husky latin women so that their two children would never have to be in day care.

What's with the husky latin women?

[xboat]

so here i am reading the board and hear of a death in jackson hole and look around to find out what had happened as i've been away for a few days. i came across this thread and started reading. i was saying to myself, i used to know a guy named Newt in steamboat...can't be the same guy though. until i came across this -

"We were all a super-tight group of friends, and I stayed in touch with Brent when he lived in Steamboat and Breckenridge," Armstrong said. "He came up here two or three times over the years and really loved it. I'll never forget the day he gave me a call and said, 'I've got this super-cool girlfriend, and we want to move to Jackson'."

Newton spent winters in Steamboat Springs, Colo., from 1988 to 1994, where he was known for his fondness for mogul skiing, even competing briefly on the pro mogul tour. Friend John Stritt of Steamboat described Newton as "someone who knew no boundaries, and if he did, he'd challenge them."

unbelievable. although i wasn't good friends with Newt, he was an icon in what was a much smaller town of steamboat in the early 90's. one of my best friends in the boat was really good friends with him back then. i believe they worked together and were both all about the bump skiing. the guy was a ripping bump skier, i can picture him tearing up white out right now. the thing that i remember most about Newt was his unmistakeable voice. i always thought it was kind of funny in a way. i don't know what else to say. i wonder if my buddy even knows, i've got to try and get ahold of him. so sad - RIP Newt

[Blurred]

RIP Brent.

I don't understand how he had collapsed lungs and also recieved a blow to the head. Is that accurate?

[Core Shot]

Woah - wierd.
I woke up thinking about Brent and I owe Sheryl an overdue phone call, and then this thread gets bumped from the past.

Whatta guy. What a great human being. What a father. What a skier.

Peace, big man.
Powder to the People.

[Blurred]

Bump for Brent.

Does anyone know the reason for the injuries he sustained?

[The Dad]

What's with the husky latin women?

Looks like somehow, the em-dashes in the original story got replaced with "husky latin women." Perhaps the oddest editing error I've ever seen.

Condolences to all. Looking at the foundation site, you can see what he gave people just from his smile.

[Core Shot]

Jackson Hole video of the week, 1/8/05

http://www.jacksonhole.com/movies/010705.mov

I love that pow video.

FYI, Newt has some great segments in Storm Show Studios 2006 ski movie Falling Forward.

The Newt memorial film that was played at the Moose fundraiser is also included on the DVD in the bonus footage section.

It's also a great skiing and riding movie.
Well worth the price. Falling Forward and Waiting Game are the two best movies this year. Particularly for a JH junky.
http://www.stormshow.com/

[Core Shot]

Three years.
Where does the time go?

Life for me now is so full of love and energy and two noisy little boys that it is hard to believe how dark and depressing it was a mere three years ago. And yet as winter sets in and we enter sweet January and the best part of winter, I find myself wanting to call some old friends. I call a few. But a few others just cant be reached.

So I drink. And thnk.
And cry for my selfish desire to have had more time with them.

Peace and Powder to all the snow lovers.
Savor each turn. Love Life. Live Large.

[Dam Skier]

I had some great times with Newt. This thread makes me sad to not be able to ski or hang with Newt again, but it also bring back so many good times from my past. RIP Newt, and thoughts to Sheryl and his boys.

[Smails]

Touching reminder of someone who obviously meant a great deal to a lot of people. Glad you brought it up to the top so I could learn about Newt myself. RIP

[WK Monoskier]

Spent a week in JH back in 06', drank plenty in the Moose. They kept playing this video. Nothing but sick powder shots from this one guy. Turned out to be Falling Forward, turned out to be Newt.

One of the best ski movies I've seen with one of the best guys I've never met.

God Bless Newt and his family.

[Dam Skier]

Bump, because there was no better dude to hang with on St. Patty's day. Lot's of good memories, I miss you buddy.

[passholer]

three years.
Where does the time go?

Life for me now is so full of love and energy and two noisy little boys that it is hard to believe how dark and depressing it was a mere three years ago. And yet as winter sets in and we enter sweet January and the best part of winter, I find myself wanting to call some old friends. I call a few. But a few others just cant be reached.

So I drink. And thnk.
And cry for my selfish desire to have had more time with them.

Peace and Powder to all the snow lovers.
Savor each turn. Love Life. Live Large.

bump..5yrs. ago thinking of ya newt

[schwerty]

Sheryl and the boys live a couple doors down from us. Can't imagine how tough this day is for them every year. I think about it almost everytime I pass their house. His family always seems to be in good spirits. Newt would be proud of Sheryl and they way she has raised their children.

[wannabe]

Wow it is unbelievable it has been 5 years now, I had some of my best days with Newt when I first moved to CO, living in Breck.

Ripping bump lines all day, and hitting his insane kickers he would build in the gut of devils crotch.

RIP buddy I miss you.

[Dam Skier]

5 years, wow. Gone, but not forgotten.

Makes my want to sport a hawaiian shirt, ski bumps all day, jump off some stuff, and rock the biggest smile all day.

If anyone has info on getting the tweaker sunglass stickers please PM me or post it up.

[Teleboater]

NEWWWWWWWWWWWWWT!

[raisingarizona13]

Newt was the most inspirational person I have ever known. A true hero and a legend. RIP Newt.

[MarkoInTheBoat]

NEWWWWWWWWWWWWWT!

Huckin' huge for Newt! RIP big man.

[gravitylover]

Aww man, how did I miss this. I too remember Newt fondly. Top to bottom, nonstop ripping bumpin' with the tweaker shades. Will certainly be tipping a few to you tonight

[raisingarizona13]

I remember living in Steamboat and seeing pictures of Newt hucking huge on the walls of local bars and restaurants, he was larger then life to me. A couple years later I met him after moving to Jackson riding the Sublette chair, we scoped lines in the Alta Zero/Negative zone and he encouraged me to drop in. We both ducked the ropes and skied fresh steep lines with good airs, it will always remain one of my most memorable days on skis. He new what to say to to someone to turn on there stoke and build up their confidence, always smiling, always stoked. The glass was never half empty, being a troubled kid I got to learn a lot from him, he inspired me to believe in myself and to be the best I can be. Thanks Newt, you will never be forgotten. Much Love.

[Tomohawk]

From Newt I learned the meaning of life is twofold: (1) Be as nice as possible to everyone else who's here during our lives, and (2) Have the best time possible!

[raisingarizona13]

god damn right.

From Newt I learned the meaning of life is twofold: (1) Be as nice as possible to everyone else who's here during our lives, and (2) Have the best time possible!

[Core Shot]

Owen has the mad steeze energy of Newt.

https://www.facebook.com/owen.newton.5682/
A bit of a setback after a bad injury. But he’s back flying again. Speed flying is some crazy shit.

Warren is now a firefighter just like dad.

Both boys have the energy. The spirit lives on.