Rev. David Clemens "Bud" Newquist, BHS 1937

Rev. David Clemens "Bud" Newquist, BHS 1937

November 23,1918 - January 15, 2007

Yakima Herald-Republic, January 21, 2007

BAKERSFIELD, CA - Rev. David Clemens Newquist entered heaven on January 15, 2007. "Bud", as he was affectionately called, was born on November 23, 1918 in Ray, Arizona to Arvid and Hannah Newquist, immigrants from Sweden. Dave grew up in southern California with his three sisters, Clara, Helen, and Evelyn, often helping his father in the construction of homes and the airport hanger for Amelia Earhart's plane.

Dave graduated from Burbank High School and UCLA where he played football. A Christian since six years old, Bud was active in the Mission Covenant Church. While at UCLA, he was active in the college group at Hollywood Presbyterian Church lead by Henrietta Mears (mentor to Rev. Billy Graham and Rev. Bill Bright founder of Campus Crusade for Christ). It was there he answered God's call to ministry.

Dave matriculated at Princeton Theological Seminary for three years and attended William & Mary College Navy Chaplain School. He was stationed as marine chaplain at Camp Lejeune military base in Jacksonville, North Carolina. There he met a charming southern girl, Bettie Ruth Johnson, who played piano for services at the Baptist church where Dave occasionally preached. David and Bettie married on September 4, 1945 in the Mission Covenant Church in Los Angeles. (They celebrated their 61st anniversary in 2006.) Ten days later, Dave was shipped to Japan in the first wave of reconstruction troops after the dropping of the atomic bomb.

On returning to the States and finishing studies at Princeton, Dave and Bettie moved back to California and had two daughters, Carolyn Ruth (husband Jerry Hardebeck), daughter, Cara (husband Chris Curry) and son, Nathan (wife Robin, son Austin) and Sharon Rae (husband Steve Soames) daughter Alicia (husband Daniel McIntosh), son Dylan (wife Jennifer), and son Garrett).

Dave had his first church in Coalinga, California. The family then moved to Edinburgh, Scotland where Dave did doctoral studies at New College University and where son, John David was born (wife Cathy), daughter, Crystal (husband Guy, daughter Caitlyn) and daughter Emerald). Next they moved to Shawnee, Pennsylvania where Dave had two churches. They brought with them a new daughter, Patti Sue (husband Craig Anderson) daughter Rachael).

Then the Newquists moved to West Seattle, Washington and ministered at West Side Presbyterian Church. Beverly Dawn was added to the family (husband Greg Loughnane, daughter Nicole). Dave's next church was Westminster Presbyterian in Yakima, Washington, where he and Bettie returned to celebrate their 60th anniversary in 2005.

Then Dave pastored at First Presbyterian Church in Bakersfield, California and retired from there in 1984. He continued with interim work in Nevada, New Mexico, Sacramento, Centralia, and Gig Harbor. He finished his work as Chaplain at Mercy Hospital in Bakersfield.

Dave loved and served the Lord all his life. He also loved gardening, golfing, fishing, stamp collecting, telling jokes and laughing, watching TV westerns, and spending time with friends and his family, wife Bettie, six children, eleven grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.

Services are planned for February 3rd, 2007 at 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 17th & H, Bakersfield, California. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to your favorite youth organization or mission on behalf of Dave.