Many buildings across the Andrews University campus have been named after various Seventh-day Adventist pioneers, leaders, and families who knew the importance of ministry and the value of Christian education. The most obvious example of a naming tribute is the namesake of Andrews University, J.N. Andrews, whose life and contributions were explored in a previous article. Further examples of such tributes are below:
- James White Library - Pioneers and Theologians James and Ellen G. White
- Andreasen Center for Wellness – Former Andrews University President Niels-Erik Andreasen
- Chan Shun Hall - Former Business Chairman Dr. Chan Shun
- Nethery Hall - Professor James Nethery
- Lamson Hall – Former Dean of Women at Emmanuel Missionary College
- Buller Hall – Businessman and Philanthropist Allan Buller
Although they may not be commonly known like James and Ellen White, Andrews is home to a facility named after another impactful and important Adventist couple: Dr. Robson and Isabel Newbold. Their physical and lasting contribution to Andrews University is the Newbold Auditorium in Buller Hall. The Newbolds were significant financial contributors to the Buller Hall project, which officially ended with the unveiling of Buller Hall in 2011. However, their contributions to the Seventh-day Adventist community go back even further.
Dr. Robson S. Newbold, MD, was born November 19, 1918. The son of a successful businessman, Robson wanted nothing to do with that industry growing up. He would attend Andrews University with Allan Buller, where the two friends would be friends through the turn of the 21st century. After graduating from what was then known as Emmanuel Missionary College circa 1940 and graduating from the College of Medical Evangelists (now known as Loma Linda University) in 1944, Robson was enlisted in the United States Army and served in The Pacific Theater during World War II. He was inspired to serve as a medical missionary overseas during this time.
Along with him on the journey of self-sacrifice was his wife, previously known as Isabel A. Stewart. As detailed in a published report by Adventist Today, Isabel was born February 23, 1920, in Battle Creek, Michigan, the youngest daughter of Dr. Charles E. Stewart and Elizabeth Reith Stewart. She would extend the line of medical practitioners in her family by becoming a medical missionary.
Robson and Isabel, who were married in 1942, were committed to spreading the Three Angels’ Message and providing medical assistance across the globe. Their first medical missionary stint was spent in Africa from 1947-1962. The countries they ministered to on behalf of the Adventist church were Kenya, Tanzania, Congo, and Rwanda. According to their sons, James and Scott Newbold, whom I interviewed, Rwanda is where they spent most of their years in Africa, living in and eventually starting their family on the Ngoma Mission, now known as Mugonero Hospital. James shared that their parents' responsibilities often became very cumbersome due to there being times when “he [Robson Sr.] was the only doctor there for one or two hundred thousand people.” He compared it to if there was a situation today with only one doctor available to meet the needs of everyone in South Bend, Indiana.
The God-fearing couple would go on to raise six children: Robson, Dwight, James, Jean, Scott, and Carol, all of whom are still living. James and Scott were both born at Ngoma Mission and were raised in the various mission stations with their siblings as the Newbolds served across the globe. After a return to the United States in 1962 so that elder Robson could start and finish his residency in general surgery and a subspeciality in thoracic surgery, with his last year of schooling at Yale University, the family would again leave to serve as medical missionaries in Korea, Guam, Malaysia, and Taiwan. The brothers shared that between their family’s several trips to Asia, their father also served as a surgeon in Brunswick, Maine and Monument Valley, Arizona.
Dr. Scott Newbold, MD, would follow in their footsteps as a medical missionary. He served as a medical missionary in Guam and is now a retired surgeon in Walla Walla, Washington, after serving with Adventist Health Medical Group. James is a retired attorney with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office. The brothers also mentioned that their sisters, Jean and Carol, are neonatal intensive care nurses at Loma Linda. According to Scott, several relatives of Isabel are Seventh-day Adventist physicians and ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialists.
Scott said his parents found mission work “a challenge.” Isabel was described as “always anxious to go out and do things” that may not have been typical for an expected domestic life. “They saw the challenge and…they were satisfied doing it.” Even in retirement, James quoted his mother as saying, “I wish I was young again so that we could do this all over!” This provides insight into the couple's willingness, eagerness, and dedication.
Because of the unusual circumstances, the family was very close-knit. From attending one-room schoolhouses together to having various intriguing pets, like monkeys, mongooses, and a hawk, the siblings found life as missionaries enjoyable. Even after all the children grew up and moved out, they made sure to see each other “at least once a year” and maintained the emotional closeness despite the physical distances.
Isabel and Robson Newbold had long lives after serving on behalf of and to the Adventist community. Isabel died in Walla Walla on March 25, 2014, at 94. Dr. Robson would die almost two years later, on February 18, 2016, at 97. James shared that they spent 72 great years of marriage together. Both were laid to rest in Mount Hope Cemetery in College Place, Washington, near the campus of the Adventist institution, Walla Walla University. Along with the honor of being the namesake of the Newbold Auditorium, a portrait of Robson and Isabel with some of the missions they served at and helped start to grace the wall next to the auditorium’s entrance. The featured mission locations are S.D.A. Clinic Guam, Ngoma Rwanda, Taiwan Adventist Hospital, and Seoul Korea. Both will be forever remembered and cherished for their humanitarian acts and Christ-like generosity.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.