Edwin C. Newberg Dies; Longtime Sitkan was 69

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Category: Obituaries

Created on Tuesday, 05 April 2022 14:18

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Edwin C. Newberg

The family has announced the passing of “our beloved father, Edwin C. Newberg. Ed passed away peacefully surrounded by those who loved him, after two years of bravely and gracefully dodging the proverbial school bus, as dad would say,” they wrote.

“He was steadfast and thoughtful in the ways he showed us he loved us. He loved his children and grandchildren fiercely and endlessly expressed pride in his family.”

A Sitka resident, he died March 22, at the home of a daughter, Christy Murdock, in Sedro-Woolley, Washington.

Edwin Chris Newberg was born Sept. 28, 1952, in Portland, Oregon, to Edwin W. and Molly Newberg. After growing up in southeast Portland, he joined the Air Force Reserves. He left the reserves to work alongside his father in the family business – Cowlitz Shingle Company. That began a long career working in the timber industry and in heavy equipment machinery.

Next, Ed worked for timber companies and chip mills around Longview, Washington. In 1990 he left Washington for new adventures in Alaska. He started on Afognak Island, working for Ben A. Thomas Logging. He went on to live and work in many different places in Alaska including Kodiak, Seldovia and Prince of Wales, before settling in Sitka many years ago. 

He deeply and profoundly loved his work, his family said. It gave him purpose and meaning and he was a wise counselor to so many. There wasn’t a job within a logging operation he hadn’t done, and there wasn’t a machine or piece of equipment he couldn’t fix.  

Ed was a dear friend who was loved and adored by many throughout his lifetime. He cherished his home and community in Sitka. For those who have been lucky enough to spend many afternoons enjoying a warm beer in his shop while pontificating on memories, life and the ailments of society, he will be truly missed.  

He is survived by daughters Christy Murdock (Ray) of Sedro-Woolley and Amanda Gabai (Zev), of Portland, Oregon; son Eddie Newberg of Longview, Washington; and grandchildren Abby Murdock (Bryson) and Owen Murdock, both of Sedro-Woolley; Gilad Gabai of Portland, Katie Newberg of Oklahoma, and Lily Newberg, Port Angeles, Washington.

He is also survived by his cherished sisters and their families, Debbie Richards (Pat) and Claralee Rohwedder (Alex).

The family plans to have a celebration of Ed’s life in Sitka later this year.

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