Newell Smith Doty (80) of Hendersonville, NC, was called to his heavenly home on Saturday, March 30, 2024, surrounded by his wife and three daughters.

Born to Allen Render Doty and Ruth Greene Smith Doty on June 20, 1943 in Providence, RI, Newell grew up in Longmeadow, MA with his brother, Paul ’64. He attended Williston Academy of Northampton, MA, Washington and Lee University and American International College, where he met the love of his life, Veronica (Ronnie), on a blind date.

Ronnie and Newell were married on August 21, 1965 and together, they raised their daughters, Kristin, Katherine (Katie), and Elizabeth (Betsy), in Rochester, NY. Newell was an insurance executive with Aetna Life and Casualty for 27 years before being drawn to the North Carolina mountains to fulfill his dream of running a B&B. He and Ronnie owned and operated The Orchard Inn in Saluda, NC, for nearly 5 years before his retirement.

An active outdoorsman, Newell was a lacrosse player in his youth and enjoyed running (17 marathons and many mini-triathlons), fly fishing, hiking, and golf. He served others as a former EMT, training his dog Hershey to be a therapy dog, and working with the backpack program at his Church, St. John’s in the Wilderness.

Papa New, as he is affectionately known by his 6 grandchildren, will be forever remembered as a loving father and grandfather, who prioritized family time, never missed an opportunity to cheer on his grandkids, and kept us all laughing with his quick wit and corny jokes.

Newell is survived by his wife of 58 years, Ronnie, his daughters Kristin (daughter Molly) of Flat Rock, NC, Katie (husband Robb and children Abbey, Logan and Caroline) of Birmingham, AL, and Betsy (husband J.D and daughters Lyla and Paryn) of Edwards, CO. The family would like to thank the incredible staff at Tore’s Home for their devotion and love of Newell and Four Seasons Hospice, who treated him with compassion and dignity.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Newell’s honor to Memory Care of Asheville, NC and St John’s in the Wilderness of Flat Rock, NC. A service of celebration will be held on Saturday April 13th at 11:00 in the morning at St. John’s in the Wilderness of Flat Rock, NC. Hallelujah, He is Risen Indeed!