Newman was born in Red River County in northeast Texas to Thomas Newman and Veda Newman Scotti (1907-1995).^[4] He attended college in Dallas, where he met his wife of fifty-eight years, the former Peggy Jean Behelar (born 1932), whom he wed in 1950. They had four children: Joel Pearce Newman (April 5, 1951—April 15, 2008),^[5] Nancy Newman de Anda, Mark S. Newman (born January 15, 1954), and David T. Newman (born November 29, 1959).^[6] He had eleven grandchildren and was survived also by a sister, Belva Watts. Mrs. Newman remains the chief executive officer of B.P. Newman Investments.^[3]

Unusual design of Newman Elementary School in Laredo

The Newmans donated the land for two Laredo schools: Newman Elementary School at 1300 Alta Vista Drive in the Valle Alto subdivision off McPherson Road, the Dr. Sigifredo Perez Elementary School at 500 Sierra Vista. They also launched the first lot for Habitat for Humanity in Laredo. He gave the land too for the B.P. Newman Park and the B.P. and Peggy Newman Recreation Center in Laredo.^[3]

The Laredo political leadership lauded Newman. In a statement to the Laredo Morning Times, Texas State Representative Richard Pena Raymond recalled Newman "one of the great giants of Laredo. He was a great entrepreneur and has helped expand our economy and create a vibrant city. We will always look back at what he did to build our city economically. Mrs. Newman is a pillar; we love her and our hearts go out to her and her family." State Senator Judith Zaffirini of Laredo called the Newmans "Laredo's first power couple."^[7]

U.S. Representative Henry Cuellar of Laredo told the Laredo Morning Times that Newman was "an excellent business person [who] cared a lot for Laredo. . . . I believe Bob's spirit will live on. . . . He always had a big smile, kind word ... always had the right thing to say. He was a kind, noble man." Mayor Raul G. Salinas called Newman "a true gentleman, a man who cared a lot for Laredo and cared for the community. He gave so much of himself. His generosity has helped many organizations throughout our city. He will always be remembered as a man with a big heart."^[7]

Newman's fellow business assocates agreed. International Bank of Commerce chairman and CEO Dennis Nixon viewed Newman accordingly: "a bright man, visionary, and a man who sought to build several magnificent properties. He was a very active guy, very serious individual . . . a great teacher and involved his family in the business. When he was stricken . . . , his business kept on developing because of how he and Peggy taught their children." Laredo businessman Gary Jacobs, a former president of the then Laredo National Bank (since Compass Bank), remembered Newman as a "low-key individual. He saw opportunities here in town where others who had lived here for a long time did not. [He was] one of the most creative real estate entrepreneurs in Laredo. He created some of the first new apartments in town." Jim Moore, also of the former Laredo National Bank, recalled Newman as a true entrepreneur: "He and Peggy were good corporate citizens. They put money back into the community, supporting organizations like Little League and Junior Achievement. . . . Mr. Newman was one of the finest, honest men I've ever worked with. Bob gave me the benefit of his knowledge and advice."^[7]

Newman died at Laredo Medical Center of complications from long-term Alzheimer's disease. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Laredo. Ronald A. Scott, Newman's pastor since 2002, recalled that Newman "helped a lot of kids go to college [through the B.P. Newman Scholarship Fund at Texas A&M International University] and provided for others in need. B.P.'s and Peggy's example of love and sacrifice is noticeable. His was a life reflective of one lived out by Jesus Christ."^[8]

Grave of B.P. Newman at Laredo City Cemetery

Newman died at Laredo Medical Center. At his funeral, Laredo attorney Javier de Anda, vice president of B.P. Newman Investments and Newman's son-in-law, read from a letter: "B.P., many of us gather here as a testimony to how much you've helped them. We will feel your loss in countless ways. For those of us here strong in faith, we know our loss is merely temporary. B.P., we thank God for your presence in our lives." Newman is interred in the Masonic section at Laredo City Cemetery.