April 30, 1921 – July 29, 2014
The family of Lloyd Stephens-Newsham are saddened to announce his passing at the age of 93. He was an academic, photographer, traveller and teller of stories as well as committed to “puttering around” in his home, lab and workshop.
Lloyd was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, the first of six children of George Arthur Newsham and Hannah Jane Stephens. From his mother he inherited a love of all things Welsh. He spent his childhood on the farm near Saskatoon and his high school and university years in Saskatoon, earning a BA in physics. After service in the Canadian Army he obtained his PhD in physics from McGill University in Montreal. Thus began a lifetime of interest in medical physics.
In Montreal he met the charming Lois Rae Brown and they were married in 1950. Daughters Joan (1954) and Helen (1957) were born in Montreal.
Lloyd moved with his family to Edmonton in 1966 and taught at the University of Alberta until his retirement in 1986. While there he brought the SLOWPOKE reactor to the University and went to England on sabbatical twice, to Cambridge and the University of Surrey.
Lloyd and Lois retired to Victoria in 1990, where they were involved in the Canadian Club, the Welsh Society, extensive travelling and many activities with friends and family. Lloyd and Lois were active long time members of the United Church.
Lloyd leaves his daughters Helen (Steve Jones) and Joan Johnston, Bob Johnston, sisters Kathleen Swalm, Margaret Fredeen, and Gwendolyn Newsham, sisters-in-law June Newsham and Pearl Newsham, grandchildren Daniel, Kevin and Averil Johnston and Katheryn, Lucy and Victoria Jones. He was predeceased by Lois, his wife of nearly 60 years, brothers David and Ifor, and brothers-in-law Reece Swalm and Hartley Fredeen.
Memorial service on Friday, August 8th at 2:30 at Cordova Bay United Church, 813 Claremont Avenue. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Medecins Sans Frontiers/Doctors Without Borders, 720 Spadina Avenue, Suite 402, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2T9.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Bros. Funeral Directors
www.mccallbros.com
17 Responses
I am a year late in learning of the death of Lloyd and that her was predeceased by Lois. My husband Joe (Giuseppe, also deceased 1999) worked for Lloyd at the Royal Victoria Hospital Montreal. We were great admirers of Lloyd with his gentle humour and academic erudition. RIP
I was saddened to learn the death in July of Lloyd only today, 1st Dec 2014. I emigrated from the UK in the 50’s to take up a junior position under him in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal. He was a stimulating leader and I well remember the innovative ideas he asked me to help him develop, many of which are now commercially produced and in common practice. It was a privilege to work and learn under him. He was a good fiend and a good leader. Thank you Lloyd
On behalf of the Victoria Welsh Society I would like to say how sorry we were to hear the sad news of Lloyd. Our thoughts are with you and we send you our deepest sympathies.
Dr. Newsham was a very nice gentleman. He was my teacher and my friend at the SLOWPOKE lab. I still could remember the first time he talked to me in the lab when he had just come back from England in 1981. Even in our first conversation, I could feel his kindness and humor. Also, he was a very humble person. I am so saddened to hear about his passing. It was a great loss for us to lose such a great person. He will be remembered in my heart forever.
If I had one wish, it would to be to speak to my brother one more time. Sending my love and condolences to Joan and Helen and families. I will miss him greatly.
Lloyd was always a class-act professor…dedicated, inventive, concerned about student welfare and the enduring side of the University…its intellectual growth. I valued his refined perspective on many issues. We are richer for his many contributions to our University of Alberta community.
Lindsay and I had the great opportunity of meeting with Uncle Lloyd this past December when we visited him at the hospital in Victoria. We listened to many funny and witty stories and shared some hugs. So glad we had made the visit.
What a wonderful man. God Bless you Joan , Helen and families.