Richard Gibbs Newbill

Richard Gibbs Newbill (Tree), 78, of Phoenix, AZ, entered the arms of Jesus on Thursday, July 18, 2024.

Largely known as "Tree," his nickname captured the essence of his character. Standing tall and strong, Tree's physical presence was matched by an emotional reach that branched out to help and mentor many. Deeply rooted in his faith in Jesus Christ, he was a towering figure of support and love in the lives of all who knew him.

He was born on March 3, 1946, in Hermosa Beach, CA, and grew up in San Diego, CA. At the young age of 18, he was drafted into the Army and bravely served his country in Vietnam. In 1968, at 22, he moved to Phoenix, AZ, to marry the love of his life, Bobbie. Together, they raised two children, Jeff and Debbie, and became a rock-solid couple whom neighbors, family, friends, and the church could always depend on and love. Tree used his many talents and skills to help in countless ways, becoming a trusted resource and teacher to many because he truly was a master of many trades.

Tree was a man of remarkable intelligence and diverse interests. From scuba diving in the oceans to four-wheeling through the desert mountains, Tree reveled in nature through his adventurous pursuits. He was always busy with his hands and his amateur radio equipment, whether it was house projects, working on his jeep, or most often, in his shop; engaged in electronics, welding, or busy with repair jobs. Tree's willingness to mentor and teach his vast array of skills to anyone eager to learn made him a cherished mentor and role model to many young men. While his knowledge has been passed on to these friends, his unique expertise and depth of understanding will be deeply missed.

Tree was well-respected for his professional work ethic too. With electronics as his passion, he was a true expert in electronics and audio repair, and it was well known that if Tree didn’t know how to fix something, he would figure it out. His inquisitive mind and technical skills created a distinctive craftsmanship that drew clients from near and far.

Spiritually, Tree truly yielded fruit. His hard work, dedication, loyalty, kindness, and love blessed countless people. He was humble and served as unto the Lord, unaware of his significant impact on those around him. The Lord used him in mighty ways, and Tree will be greatly missed.

Tree’s memory lives on through his loving wife Bobbie, son Jeff (Stephanie Clark), brother Martin, grandchildren Savannah McDonald (Elijah Thun), Meghan McDonald (Emily Hawbaker), Mallory McDonald, and great-granddaughter Sadie Ann Thun. Tree is preceded in death by his parents, brother, and his daughter Debbie.