Oct. 25, 1931 — Nov. 14, 2025
Kathleen and her brother Michael were born and raised in California. Their Irish father and Russian mother immigrated to America, becoming U.S. citizens. After receiving a degree in psychology at U.C. Berkeley, Kathy married newspaper reporter Bob Newcomb. The two had three children, Andrea, Nancy and Thomas.
When Bob joined the news staff at the Eugene Register-Guard, the family moved to Oregon and later lived in Ashland, then Tualatin (where Bob directed news service departments, first at Southern Oregon College and later Marylhurst University). Over the years, Kathy was active working with the League of Women Voters on a wide range of civic issues. She earned a second degree in business administration, passed the CPA exam and became a senior auditor for the State of Oregon Division of Audits.
Kathy was a fearless champion of the environment and public health. After retirement, she, with local citizens, blocked Willamette River water from being added to Tualatin’s pristine Bull Run water source, by ensuring the matter be decided by Tualatin voters. She also served four years as host on “The Water Spot,” a monthly TVCTV program sponsored by Oregon Citizens for Safe Water, covering water issues impacting the lives of all Oregonians.
Together Bob and Kathy enjoyed picnics with friends and family, taking grandsons Chase and Cole to programs at OMSI and camping on the Oregon coast, attending concerts, the Oregon Star Party, Sunday morning service at Ashland Trinity Church, singing, laughing and most of all enjoying each other’s company. Kathy has gone on to join Bob, who died in November 2019. Both are dearly loved and will be truly missed.
