Volunteer, Marine named Good Friend and Neighbor

Randy Newman has continued his family’s tradition of giving back to the community, earning the same award as his grandfather did.

Newman was surprised with the Good Friend and Neighbor Award at the 65th annual Rural Urban Dinner on Thursday, July 17, at Willie & Red’s in Hagerstown.

Economy Lions Club organizes the gathering, which encourages good relationships between town and rural Wayne County residents. Someone is recognized for their efforts in improving the quality of life in northern Wayne County.

This year, it was Newman’s turn, and surprising him, wife Hillary and son Vincent was a special feat. Randy’s a member of the Lions Club and is credited with helping the awards program continue after a transition in its sponsorship.

Once the Hagerstown Young Farmers decided they couldn’t continue along with other service groups in Hagerstown to organize the banquet, Newman has been responsible for allowing the Good Friend and Neighbor Award to continue through Economy’s Lions Club.

Club members say Newman gave a very humble acceptance speech, noting his grandfather Paul Williamson had won the award and he hoped that he could live up to the family legacy that his grandpa had.

Newman has given many years of service to his community and country since graduating from Hagerstown High School in 1981 and Purdue University in 1987. He also attended the French War College in Paris and the School of Advance Warfighting in Quantico, Virginia.

Currently, he’s a volunteer and board member for the Brighter Path therapeutic horse program Cambridge City, chairs Wayne County’s Board of Zoning Appeals and is a member of Economy United Methodist Church, for which he’s chair of the administrative board.

Newman served 28 years both as an enlisted Marine and a commissioned officer. In 2008, he served as military assistant of the executive secretary of the Department of Defense. He retired from active duty in 2013 with the rank of colonel to oversee the family farm in Economy.

Lions Club members and former award winners say that once Newman returned home, it did not take long for him to become involved in the community and offer to help with anything he could do. If things need to be done, they say, he is always willing to help, and he knows how to handle tough situations.

His older sister, Pam Anderson, is described as “a real sidekick” for him in the Lions Club and Economy United Methodist Church. Randy and Pam are the children of the late Willard and Sue Newman. They have four other siblings, Jo Ann Hill, Mike (deceased), Leah (husband Steve) and Ryan (wife Angela). Relatives and friends attended to watch Newman receive his award.