Longtime Arcata resident Keith Newcomer, the original owner of plaza furniture store Arcata Exchange, was apparently the victim of a plane crash Saturday evening in northern Georgia, where he was visiting his son Christopher. The boy, who is believed to be around seven years old, has also been tentatively identified as a victim of the crash. The Jasper County coroner is seeking dental records in order to make a positive identification, according to a Georgia news report.
The plane, a single-engine RV-6A, was registered to Newcomer, a licensed pilot who had constructed the aircraft himself with help from other local pilots, according to Arcata Exchange co-owner Gene Joyce. (So-called “amateur” plane-building is common among pilots, Joyce said.)
Newcomer started Arcata Exchange — then called “Barter is Better” — in December, 1977. Joyce became co-owner 10 years ago — almost to the day, he said.
Joyce described Newcomer, who was 56 years old, as a generous man who loved surfing and flying.
“He believed in living life…” Joyce said. “I think he was happiest when he was working on planes and flying.” Newcomer was already an avid pilot when the two men met approximately 12 years ago.
The cause of the plane crash remains under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board. The “experimental ” plane crashed around 6:22 p.m. Saturday at Monticello Sky Ranch Airport, located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen told the Associated Press. The pilot and sole passenger — now believed to be Newcomer and his son — died at the scene. According to the Georgia news source, “The RV-6A aircraft was so badly burned, it took Federal Aviation Administration investigators until Sunday to track the plane’s registration.”
Joyce said Newcomer wouldn’t want people to mourn his death. “He wants to see us keep living, and live with his memory and keep the spirit alive,” Joyce said. “I know he’s with us all right now.”
[Photo from Arcata Exchange’s Facebook page.]
This article appears in dummy 2010.
Can you give me funeral arrangements? I am a friend of Keith’s sister Robin. I would like to make the service if possible.
There will be a Memorial Service for Keith and Chritopher on Saturday, October 23rd at 10:00AM. Covington Municipal Airport, Covington, Georgia (9A1)
As I recall, Keith’s original store was named Barter’s Smarter and not Barter is Better. Keith was a good person and loved his son very much. We had worried about his long trips in such a small plane but nothing was going to keep him from his son.
Also a memorial service Oct. 31, 1 p.m., D Street Community Center.
I have so much to thank Keith for. We have all lost a great person. The Linehan’s send their prayers to the Newcomer family.
Jeff Linehan
Keith will be missed in his second community of Pavones, Costa Rica. A remembrance is posted on the website GoodMorningPavones.com.
On behalf of the entire Reidy family, our thoughts and prayers are with all of the Newcomer family.Keith was always a kind and caring man.Words cannot describe the heartbreak his family is feeling. God bless you all.
Keith was my first friend when I moved to West Torrance in 1970. He introduced me to all his friends who became my friends. He was indeed generous and fun loving. Always a smile on his face. He taught me how to “barter smarter” I still think of him and his wonderful “win win” tactics every time a deal with someone. He loved the art of the deal and he always wanted everyone to walk away feeling good about the exchange. We kept in touch over the years. The last time I saw him was about October ’05 at my home in L.A. with our families. He had a new wife and a little boy on his lap. A Keith I had never known. He always asked me to visit him in Arcata or Costa Rica. Sorry it never happened. His spirit will live in us all. My heart goes out to the boy’s mother and everyone else left to deal with this tragic loss.
Here’s a small trip down our memory lane with Keith for fellow friends.
In a blog of his Georgia airplane club, there were a few members that day who noted Keith was his normal self and they had completed a ‘fueling run’ before taking off and his aircraft veered left and crashed. Nothing unusual or out of the ordinary was noted. I think he was perhaps introduced into flying and the club by his younger brother, Steven, who lived there. Regardless, it was a tragic accident and as far as I can surmise, nothing more than that. That website and beloved comments are here:
http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthr…
He had also attended an aviation meeting of the airport here in Humboldt earlier this year. He loved flying and owned at least 2 planes…
Keith helped stop pollution into our Humboldt waters from the pulp mill years ago, along with Mr. Cortwright. There’s a few more pictures here of Keith in the water from Surfrider:
http://surfriderhumboldt.wordpress.com/2010/1…
Legendary surfer John ‘Doc” Ball traded his beloved paddleboard,’X-1’ to Keith for a ‘really good’ skateboard in Doc’s later years and during the earlier Barter Smarter/Barter is Better business owned by Keith. Incidentally, Keith sold or traded me my first snowboard, an extremely primitive model around 1981, and the price was fair. An interesting read for surfers that’s more about Doc Ball is here– it mentions Keith only briefly and I don’t think he’d mind, probably be honored and amused:
http://files.legendarysurfers.com/surf/legend…
And a special, beautiful, and lasting picture of Keith and his son Christopher we knew, our friend, I hope you’ll see and remember the Newcomers here:
http://www.rockdalecitizen.com/newtonnews/hea…
Also to note for you earlier folks and friends, Keith attended West High School in Torrance, Ca., from 1968-1972, and lived in Arcata, Ca, Statham and Snellville, GA., and Pavones, Costa Rica, among other places. I understand he helped at the futon store, his son climbing on all the stuff, in Georgia and also helping bag groceries in Athens, GA. Keith liked to meet people, have fun, and seemed always open to new opportunities.
Keith knew many people from all over. We still have the futon he assembled at our home from the Arcata Exchange. It works great after all these years. There must be more than a few he built still around after all these years.
Parting comments after his passing from friends can be found here for those interested: http://www.topix.com/forum/city/arcata-ca/TQTVJLO6DH8U70PAB
I don’t think he ever had a dull moment. If you knew him you’d agree.