Dear family, friends and readers. I am so sad to have to tell you that my dear husband of forty-four years, Jonathan Newhall, died last week. Here is a copy of his obituary.
Jonathan Newhall, a former editor of The Newhall Signal in Southern California and the founder of the scrappy alternative national news source Zodiac News Service, died unexpectedly on Friday, February 19, 2021, in Oakland, California, following a stroke and cardiac arrest. He was 79.
Jon was born in 1941 in Palo Alto, California. He grew up in Berkeley where he attended Hillside Elementary and Garfield Junior High School. He graduated from Cate School in Carpinteria in 1959 and was a lifelong supporter of the school, organizing fundraising and class reunions.
Jon was a member of the Stanford University class of 1963. He took a year off after his freshman year to experience working “in the real world,” as he put it. He graduated with a B.A. in economics in 1964.
A Renegade in Small Town Southern California
After graduation, Jon moved to Newhall, California, a town founded in 1876 by his great-great-grandfather, the gold rush pioneer Henry Mayo Newhall. Jon joined the staff of The Newhall Signal, a weekly newspaper owned by his parents, Scott and Ruth Newhall.
Jon worked as general manager of the paper from 1964 to 1968, and then as editor. During his tenure at The Signal, the paper’s liberal editorial stance made it a renegade in the conservative Newhall-Saugus community. Jon won an award from the Greater Los Angeles Press Club for his 1969 editorial criticizing Gov. Ronald Reagan’s appointment of Ed Reinicke as lieutenant governor of California. Later, the Signal took the lead in a contentious school board recall election – which voters strongly approved.
Shortly thereafter, in a different issue, Jon wrote an editorial for The Signal calling for the resignation of the local congressman. The editorial went on to win the Greater Los Angeles Press Club’s top award for a newspaper editorial that year. Ironically, the guest host presenting the award at the press club banquet was the embattled congressman himself.
Jon moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1970 and was an editor at Earth News Service, an alternative news service in San Francisco. It was there that he met Barbara Falconer. The couple married in March 1977 and settled in Oakland.
Jon Goes Into Business for Himself
In 1972, Jon formed his own alternative news service, Zodiac News Service, which produced daily packets of anti-Vietnam War, civil rights, environment, and rock ’n’ roll news – also man-bites-dog items that Jon like to call “bizarros.”
The Zodiac staff printed the packets in their office on Howard Street in the then low-rent, south-of-market area of San Francisco. Monday through Friday, the packets were stuffed into envelopes and driven to the post office for delivery to subscribers.
Jon’s mission was to provide reliable news, produced according to journalistic ethics and standards, to outlets seeking sources of news not reported in the mainstream media. Subscribers included FM and college radio stations, newspapers, and alternative weeklies all over the United States and Canada. At its height, Zodiac News Service was carried by hundreds of news outlets.
A Bold Mid-life Career Switch
Fascinated by the emerging computer industry, Jon eventually sold Zodiac and — now in his 40s — taught himself to write code. He began with simple, animated educational games for John Boeshon & Company in Richmond, California, where he functioned as a one-man band, generating concept and graphics as well as code.
He soon went on to more sophisticated projects as a software engineer and project manager at a series of Bay Area companies: Computer Logics in San Rafael; Simborg Systems – later Oacis Healthcare Systems and SAIC – in San Rafael; and GLR Consulting Company in Alameda.
Though he was a latecomer to the field, Jon’s young tech colleagues found him to be a gifted engineer and manager. He could debug the internals of Microsoft Windows code with the best engineers in the field.
While managing a workstation team, Jon carpooled with other staff from the East Bay to Marin county. The rides engendered many complex, cross-functional conversations – often led by the gregarious, open-minded Jon – that in turn led to significant architectural advances in the company’s product line.
After retiring, Jon devoted his time to his family and to his writing. Just weeks before his death, he completed his most recent novel, a political thriller, which his family hopes to publish soon.
Jonathan Newhall — Community Service
Wherever he went, Jon found ways to serve his community. In 1967 he helped organize what has become known as the Santa Clarita Valley Boys and Girls Club. The hugely successful club recently celebrated its 53rd anniversary.
Beginning in the mid-1980s, Jon served as a director of the family-based Henry Mayo Newhall Foundation and was the foundation’s president from 2003 to 2007. He oversaw annual contributions of $600,000 in grants to charities across California, including $200,000 to organizations in the Santa Clarita Valley.
Over the years, Jon’s lifelong affection for cats, dogs and other animals led him to support local animal shelters. Most recently he took an interest in the Friends of Oakland Public School Libraries and its efforts to create a digital library for Oakland schoolchildren.
Family, Friends, Chess — and the Giants
Jon enjoyed planning trips abroad with Barbara — to Mexico, Europe and China. Closer to home, he especially enjoyed reunions with the Newhall and Falconer families as well as his Cate School classmates.
Jon was a long-time fan of the San Francisco Giants, cheering them on at Seals Stadium in the 1950s, at Candlestick in the 1960s through 1990s, and most recently at Oracle Park.
He was also an avid chess player, learning under the tutelage of Grandmaster George Koltanowski. He played alongside numerous Newhall family chess players – including his then 87-year-old mother – at such tournaments as the U.S. Open in Hawaii and the National Chess Open in Las Vegas.
Left Behind
Jon is survived by his wife of 44 years, Barbara Falconer Newhall, and by his children, Peter Newhall (Emily) of Minneapolis, and Christina Newhall (Tim Beedle) of Studio City, and by his granddaughters, Zelda Newhall and Eliza Newhall of Minneapolis. Also by his brother Skip Newhall (Lori) and his twin brother Tony Newhall (Reena), both of Valencia and by many loving cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, Scott and Ruth Newhall of Piru, and by a sister, Penny Newhall.
No memorial service is planned as yet. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to East Bay SPCA or to the Friends of the Oakland Public School Libraries.
Dear Readers. Right now I am not at all sure how much writing and posting I will be able to do from here on in. Jon is the one who made so much possible for me. But . . . sometimes sitting down to write is just the thing to help a person through times like this. We’ll see. Meanwhile, daughter Christina and her husband, along with some amazing neighbors, are looking after me.
I miss Jon too, a lot, Barbara. Such a wonderful and heartfelt obituary. As one of Jon’s employees / staff members at Oacis Healthcare Systems from 1994-2000, he was a wonderful boss. My wife Cindy & I enjoyed our visits to your house. We are still happily married and moved to Boston from San Rafael in 2017. I played chess with Jon a few times virtually and he always whipped me. He is and will be continually missed – a GREAT MAN. My deepest condolences, Ken Papai
Ken. So nice to hear from you. Jon enjoyed his Oacis colleagues so much, and mentioned you often. Thank you for the kind words. It helps a *lot* to know that Jon was appreciated by the people who knew him.
Barbara dear, I just read Jon’s obituary and was astonished and thrilled with the person he was. Although I did not spend much time with him (The MN Book Fair), I liked him instantly (not a general trait of mine!). He was so kind to me and wonderful with his grandchild. I remember thinking how fortunate you were to have such a lovely and supportive partner. It has now been just over a year since Jon died and I can only imagine the sadness you must feel every day. “They” say it gradually gets better and I suppose it does. However, for the person he was and for the long and wonderful life you shared, I somehow doubt the pain of his loss will ever truly diminish. I send you energy in abundance! Lynn
Lynn, Thanks so much for this. It’s nice to hear from people who knew Jon, even briefly, and to know that I’m not the only one who thinks he was wonderful. It helps!
Greetings — a view of the past. And please don’t be offended by my flipping the camera off 🙂 Peace and Love to Jon — so much an inspiration to me. Best Regards, Dean
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bccng3uircY
Dean. Thank you soooo much for this glimpse into the past and for the brief moment with Jon. Everyone looks so young, including Jon! Yes, too bad you flipped the camera off — but there’s alot in this little snippet. Was this a department meeting? Thank you!!!
Greetings – Yes, This was at work for a department call-in … The filming of it was a product of Mike. [It shows] how tight we were as a team… All of us loved and respected Jon. Those were magical days at Simborg Systems – our friendships created success. I truly enjoyed working for Jon and indeed, I am saddened by his loss, but I wish him best travels in the new world before him. Best Regards, Dean
Jon would like the idea of “travels in the new world before him.” Especially if some space travel is involved. He was fond of inviting me onto our deck to view the latest celestial phenomenon — for example, the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn a couple months before his death. See “Christmas — It Ain’t Over Till the Wise Men Show Up.”
Greetings, I am terribly sorry for Jon’s loss. He was an inspiration to me in my young days of computer science. I worked for him for years and his open mind and friendliness was disarming and incredible. I sincerely cherish the gift of insight he gave me — he was truly a good honest soul.
Peace and Love and again, sorry for you loss. Best Regards, Dean
Thanks so much, Dean. It means a lot to know that Jon was cherished by his friends and coworkers. I didn’t get to see that side of him in person. So it’s nice to hear this from you.
Barbara. What can I say? Such a lovely person I’ve known all my life since childhood in Berkeley. .
Denis Drew, MD
You were one of the people that Jon always spoke of fondly. He was lucky to have so many dear old friends.
Dear Barb, With sympathy, to let you know that thoughts are with you
in your time of sorrow.
Rich Riley
Thank you, Rich. So nice to hear from you. There’s nothing quite like an old friend.
I am so sad 😞 reading your news. My condolences to you and your family.. Your a beautiful human being to share your thoughts and the love ❤️ of your life. I am praying that your pain will soften over the yrs. God Bless you.
Dear Barbara and Family…I am so saddened to learn about Jon. I’m happy to have spent time with him in Newhall. He was good man. I will miss him.
Dear Barbara, I only met him once at the CPS book club but enjoyed what he had to say. From reading what you wrote I understand better what lay behind those insightful comments My heart goes out to you on his loss. He was a remarkable guy.
Barbara,
I am so sad to hear this news. I really enjoyed meeting the both of you and the journey of making your home improvements with the both of you and loved how you both supported each other and worked on design decisions together. You both are beautiful people and have such a beautiful relationship. Thanks for sharing the post and please know I am thinking of you, your family and Jon.
Dear Barbara,
Our heart goes out to you. We were so saddened. At each gathering when we met with you and Jon, we were so enlightened and enveloped in the scintillating and engaging conversations we had. We were immediately drawn in by his warmth, humor, and sincerity. You two were the perfect couple: so loving and well matched with your talents and interests. We could feel the dynamics and magnetism that drew you together whenever we encountered the two of you together. Our deepest sympathy and condolences to you. and your family. We are honored that we had the opportunity to engage in conversations with him.
Love, Willy and Hsiung
I was so sorry to read about your loss, Barbara . . .The suddenness and shock, I imagine, bring an extra measure of sorrow … Your life together clearly was a rich one, and this wonderful tribute says it all.
Such a beautiful tribute to your Jon! Jon left all of us here in Michigan a wonderful impression of a great guy. He seemed so down to earth friendly. I wish I had gotten to know Jon better. I’m sure you know that all of your Michigan cousins send you, Peter, and Christina our deepest sympathy. I’m sure Jon is in good hands now.
Dear Barbara~ I am so sorry to hear about the sudden passing of your dear husband. There never seem to be adequate words of response … no magic wand to “ make it all better” … other than the collective sigh of understanding … a recognition of the Life Force and continuing Story at work … and whispered words of eventual thanks “ for a life well done.” Thank you so much for sharing it with us, your readers.
Dear Barbara – I loved seeing all the old photos! Thank you for sharing this beautiful write-up. My heart goes out to you as you grieve this sudden loss. ❤️️
Barbara,
A beautiful obituary for a beautiful man. Also,, my best friend at Cate School and one of the best thereafter.
We will all miss him so.
John
A beautiful tribute. My love and prayers are with you and your family. I am glad Tom and I had a chance to be with you and Jon when we were in California and that you have shared your life and history with us. My heart is breaking.
Dear Barbara,
I’m so very sorry to hear about Jon. He was an incredibly kind and intelligent person, and a dear friend to many. Sending you and your family love and healing thoughts during this difficult time.
Dear Barbara,
I’m overwhelmingly saddened by this news of Jon’s passing. He was a warm, kind, humorous, and brilliant man. I felt your recent photos of your just completed home remodel were testimony to your creative and loving relationship. Those myriad decisions — for backyard steps, the deck, the house, the window treatments, and front patio — spoke for the dance and embrace you both gracefully enjoyed these forty years.
We met in 2012 in our experience performing our stories at Book Passage and Jon was photographing you. I’ve loved the connection since. Know I’m there with you. There will be words you will write again. ‘Til then, heart and soul hold all this that’s sacred.
Barbara, this is such sad news and I can only begin to imagine your sense of loss. What a lovely tribute to a very good man. As you once pointed out, while we were reading through some old Trib columns, he’s the hero of your life story and I’m sure you’ll miss him terribly. Sending you hugs from the other side of the Oakland hills.
Barbara, I’m so sorry to read your news. I didn’t know Jon well but always enjoyed his (and your) presence at the College Prep book club. You two seemed the perfect couple in every way. Please find ways to nurture yourself going forward. My deepest condolences. Linda
Barbara I was so sorry to hear about Jon’s passing ,..it is my deep regret that I never had a chance to meet him; he sounds like a tremendous guy.
Again, sincere condolences,
Barbara! I’m so terribly sorry to hear this. I’ve always been inspired by your love and admiration of Jon. That kind of love is so rare these days.
All my love and best wishes,
Melissa (from Zumba)
Dear Barbara,
It breaks my heart that Steve is no longer able to write or articulate all those memorable stories growing up and growing old with Jon. They both retold those incidents from times past with great relish: great times, bad boys.
I think back to when we were marooned without radio contact camping in Yosemite the night Patty Hearst was abducted. I thought journalist Jon would go crazy. Or the group photo taken on your deck celebrating Peter’s arrival. I have saved many of your earlier newspaper articles, your original “riffs” on life exposing Jon and kids … some are laugh out loud funny. I can only imagine “kids day” where Christina and Peter eat anything they like and are chauffeured on any outing they like. Only Jon could have conceived such an outrageous child raising technique. It reminds me what a subtle, empathetic person Jon was … he always commented and noticed one’s feelings … Once, in LA we all stopped by to say hello to my father in his FLW home, Jon noted that my dad seemed sad, wistful to have me leave that afternoon, I was oblivious … Jon mentioned that scene numerous times later on in our lives.
One of Jon’s strongest traits was kindness. I will fondly remember how he didn’t seem the least annoyed at Steve trailing along when Jon went from table to table greeting each guest at Christina’s and Tim’s wedding … a beautiful and memorable evening for all of us. Over the past few years there were summer nights when you two came for dinner and Jon took the time to play Benjamin in chess and the graciousness with which he complemented Benjamin on his innate skill no matter who won or lost. This kindness extended to animals, especially cats … when our Thai badly scratched Jon one evening after a lovely dinner, Jon excused the cat “for being a cat” and made light of what turned out to be a rather serious wound we only learned later. But of course recently Jon’s kindness and the truth of his deep relationship with Steve was most apparent when he took Steve on a photo expedition to the aquarium so that I could host an afternoon event at the studio. Jon swore he had been wanting to go there for ages. We will miss him dreadfully … there is a big hole in our hearts.
Thinking of you with love and concern … my deepest condolences Please for real, let me know if you need anything….
Love Nancy
Dearest Barbara,
I was so, so sorry to hear the news of Jon’s passing. It’s hard to imagine how such a bright light can leave so quickly. Jon and you have been extraordinary friends and neighbors to my parents and to everyone who has been lucky enough to meet both of you. Jon’s friendship made my parent’s lives brighter and happier. They would always recount your excursions to the movies and lively dinners with great joy.
Jon will be deeply missed. My sincere condolences to you, Peter, and Christina.
Love,
Stephanie
Dear Barbara, We are so sorry about your loss and the loss of your family. This was a wonderful way to learn about Jon’s many talents and accomplishments. We at Friends of the Oakland Public School Libraries deeply appreciate yours and Jon’s passion for our mission to ensure every Oakland student has access to a quality school library and your long support of our organization and our projects, including the new OUSD Digital Library which will benefit so many students in Oakland. Please know that we are keeping you and your family in our thoughts at this difficult time.
Barb: This is devastating to hear. I am so fortunate to have been able to spend time with you and Jon as Birmingham High School alums met in Oakland. a few years ago. He was a solidly wonderful entertaining engaged host (together with you) and I can only imagine that that was a reflection of your intertwined lives. I am praying for you and your family — for strength, perseverance, and all the good memories that will hurt and sustain you at the same time.
Love,
Callie
Dear Barbara, I was stunned when I accessed email and saw your message. There could not be worse news, There is a hole in my heart for you. This is such a reminder that every day is one to treasure — never to forget love and friendship and the quiet force of deep connection. I am going to write to you — a real letter on real paper and send it across the country. With love, Ann
Dear Barbara,
To say that I am shocked and saddened upon hearing the news of Jon’s passing is an understatement of the highest order. Although I’ve only known the two of you for a relatively short period of time since we planned and executed your joyful home improvements together (and how many clients and contractors get to say that I may ask?!), I knew immediately that I was in the company of grace, good humor and kindred spirits.
Please know that if there’s anything that I can do to help get you through this time you will let me know. I will hold both of you in my heart and be thinking of Jon fondly.
Sincerely,
Blake Gilmore
Thank you Barbara for the lovely tribute to Jon. Rich and I feel very fortunate that you two are in our lives. He was so enthusiastic about so many things. We are here for you.
Thank you for being a wonderful neighbor, Elaine!
Sad to hear this news. I am praying for you and family.
Dear Barbara, I am so sorry to hear this. Absolutely shocking for me — I can only imagine how it must be for you. I send my love and deepest condolences.
Dear Barbara,
I am so sorry to learn of this. My heart aches for you. I never met Jon, but I have come to know him through your column. My thoughts and virtual hugs are with you. I think fondly back on our riding up together to Bishops Ranch that weekend back in 2014.
A magnificent tribute to someone I have considered a mentor and an inspiring friend for many years. Jon was a true pioneer not only in his work in Newhall but also with Zodiac News. I have just read this and am in shock, frankly, but I will endeavour to add a few more thoughts in the coming days. I know you and after some time, I look forward to a continuation of your unique view of the world. Stay strong my friend. .
Thank you, Marlene. Zodiac was a big part of Jon’s life. I want to be in touch with you and the other Zodiac alums. I want to write up a little history. It was quite an endeavor — printing the newsletter up ourselves, stuffing envelopes, taking the bins off to the post office at the end of the day. And, of course, Jon on the phone all day, getting stories, writing them up under pressure. I know you meant a lot to Jon, so … stay strong yourself!
Barbara, I have posted a tribute on my FB page and it was picked up by Scoop Sweeney. who passed it on to some of his friends who knew Jon. Marcia Bauman also added some comments; Some long time friends and colleagues of mine across the world who did not know Jon were very impressed with his story and have sent quite sweet notes. I have lost too many lovely people over the last year but for some reason, I never expected Jon to lift off the planet. But there you go. We are of a certain age. I felt privileged to know him .
Barbara I’m stunned and unbelievably sad to hear this. He was incomparable.
Barbara….This was quite interesting and informative. I must say, I found myself pleased that through some wonderful good fortune I was allowed to play a small part in it. I am very glad, and not at all surprised, that you are being well cared for by people who appreciate & recognize what fine people you and Jon have been. I DO hope that you will be able to continue to reveal thoughts & feelings about the new realities you will be facing as life moves forward; I am quite certain that there are a large number of people who would benefit greatly from the insights I am sure you would be able to communicate.
Thank you, Jim. You presided over some vows that Jon and I managed to keep for 44 years! Right now I’m finding it pretty impossible to write, especially anything about Jon. I do have some nice old pieces about Jonthat I might repost. He was so easy to write about.
What a lovely tribute, Barbara. Jon was one of my favorite people. I would always get so excited when you both were going to visit or we were going to visit you. When I first met him 20+ years ago, I was very surprised and grateful that he accepted me, his son’s teenage girlfriend. Zelda and Eliza couldn’t have asked for a more playful, more caring grandfather.
Jon has always felt that Peter lucked out when he married you. We were looking forward to many more fun times with you and the girls. So sad.
We were too. Zelda and I are going to work on a little book of memories about him. He’ll always be talked about and remembered with love and laughter in our house.
Dear Barb,
This is the time when there are no words but I will try a few. Thank you for sharing so much of Jon’s well lived and extraordinary life. We are sending all our love,
Shag