It is with great sadness that the Trustees and Staff of the Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation announce the passing of retired legacy Trustee Emeritus Dr. Robert (Bob) Merrihew Adams on April 16, 2024. Dr. Adams was one of several people, including his sister Janet Fearon, whom Mrs. Newcombe put through college. Together, Bob and Janet were instrumental in creating the Foundation upon Mrs. Newcombe’s death in 1979. Bob served forty years on the Board before retiring at the end of 2020.

Read Obituary for Robert Adams

Upon his retirement from the Board, in recognition of his commitment to the goals and mission of the Foundation, Trustees approved a resolution detailing Dr. Adams’ creative and intentional support for doctoral students through the Newcombe Fellowship Program and for graduate and undergraduate students through the Newcombe Scholarship Programs. The Robert M. Adams Legacy Award for Student Research was established at Thomas Edison State University in 2021 with a gift of $100,000 from the Newcombe Foundation. In addition, Trustees designated one doctoral fellowship each year as the Robert M. Adams – Charlotte W. Newcombe Fellowship in Philosophy in honor of his distinguished contributions to scholarship, research, and teaching.

Trustee Elizabeth T. Frank notes, “Bob was in the unique position of having known Mrs. Newcombe and of having been an original Trustee of the Foundation. As such, he was very familiar with Mrs. Newcombe’s philanthropic interests.  For all these years Bob has helped to guide the Trustees in keeping to the mission of the Foundation. As a professor, he helped the Trustees understand the college/university world.  He was knowledgeable in all facets of the Foundation’s business…investments, accounting, IRS regulations to name a few.  Bob was an excellent listener, often being the last to speak and always was able to help us come to a consensus.”

Retired Trustee J. Barton Luedeke adds, “Bob Adams played an integral role in the creation of The Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation in the early 1980s and his wisdom, insights, and unfailingly sound counsel have been invaluable to the work of the Foundation over the subsequent years. He will be greatly missed.”