General Dynamics Veteran Newton Dies in La Jolla

Kenneth E. Newton, a retired General Dynamics executive, died Monday at his La Jolla home after a lengthy illness. He was 71.

Newton’s career with General Dynamics spanned 30 years and included work on NASA’s Centaur and Atlas space booster programs. These rockets sent Lunar Orbiter and Surveyor spacecraft to the moon and sent Mariner fly-by spacecraft to Venus and Mars.

At various times, Newton directed General Dynamics activities in San Diego, Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg Air Force Base, and was vice president of launch vehicle programs and space systems. He retired in 1980 as manager of base operations for General Dynamics at Vandenberg, near Santa Barbara.

Newton was born in Wayne Township in Lawrence County, Pa. He was graduated from Southern Methodist University with a bachelor of science in electrical engineering in 1948, after serving in the Army during World War II as a radar research and development specialist.

After military service, Newton joined Consolidated Vultee Aircraft, a predecessor of what is now General Dynamics, as an engineer in Dangerfield, Tex., a family spokeswoman said. He moved with his family to San Diego in 1955.

Newton is survived by Katherine, his wife of 44 years; a son, Michael K. Newton of Rancho Penasquitos; a daughter, Cynthia K. Newton of Austin, Tex.; three sisters and four grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Feb. 23 at the La Jolla Presbyterian Church, 7715 Draper Ave. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to the Old Globe Theatre or to the Cancer Homecare Program of San Diego Hospice.