Van Telberg Newman, Jr, 91, of Columbia, SC, marketing innovator and founder of one of the Southeast's largest marketing communications firms, died on October 16, 2018, just five days following the death of his beloved wife of nearly 70 years, Alice. Van was born May 2, 1927 in Sumter. He was the son of the late Van Telberg Newman, Sr., and Selma Steele Newman. He was in the US Navy and served in the Pacific on the USS Midway during World War II. Following the Navy he attended Duke University and graduated from the University of South Carolina with an A.B. in Journalism and B.S. in Chemistry.

Van began his career as a sports editor at the Columbia Record. He later founded one of South Carolina's most successful advertising agencies, Newman, Saylor & Gregory, which merged with Chernoff Silver Advertising Agency in 2002 to become Chernoff Newman.

He was a past president of the Columbia Advertising Club (CAC), the South Carolina Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), and founder of the Columbia Communicating Arts Society. He has been recognized as PR Practitioner of the Year by the PRSA and honored by the CAC as a Silver Medal Winner and Advertising Person of the Year.

Van has served the Columbia Community through his participation in the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, United Way and the YMCA. As a boy growing up in Sumter, the YMCA helped instill in him a love of sports. He was a founding member of Kathwood Baptist Church and past chairman of the Board of Deacons. He was also instrumental in establishing the first annual Governor's Carol Lighting ceremony and played a key role in building the annual Carolina Carillon Holiday parade.

Van contributed to the University of South Carolina, both professionally and voluntarily. He served on the USC College of Journalism and Mass Communications Partnership Board; taught advertising at the School of Journalism; and served as advisor to the student chapter of PRSA. The School of Journalism and Mass Communications recognized Mr. Newman with the Outstanding Alumnus Award and selection into the Diamond Circle of 75 individuals who have excelled in the field of mass communications.

The ultimate Gamecock, Mr. Newman was awarded the Legendary Fan Award in 2011. He may hold the record for attending the most consecutive football rivalries between USC and Clemson with his 70th attendance in 2015. He was also in Omaha in 2010 when USC's baseball team won the first of their back-to-back College World Series championships. He supported the USC basketball team as a team statistician for 40 years.

The ultimate beach bum, Van enjoyed spending time at Fripp Island and Isle of Palms and playing tennis into his mid-eighties.

Survivors include daughters, Bobbie Newman Davis, Nancy Newman Sopher (Bruce) and Linda Newman Rodarte (David); son, Van Newman III; grandchildren, Allison Davis Aitchison (Paul), Kristen Davis Bozard (Drew), and Harry Sopher, all of Columbia, and Hannah Sopher of Houston; and five great-grandchildren of Columbia. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his sister, Elizabeth Hilton of Sumter.

Visitation will be from 3 until 5 o'clock, Sunday, October 21st at Shives Funeral Home, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext. A service for Mr. and Mrs. Newman will be held 3 o'clock, Monday, October 22nd, at Kathwood Baptist Church, 4900 Trenholm Road, with Rev. Beth McConnell officiating. A private burial with military honors will be held at Fort Jackson National Cemetery.

The family would like to express thanks to caregivers Christy Williams, Coleman Humphries, and Thelma Joe, for their compassionate care and the services of Halcyon Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Van T. Newman Jr. Fellowship Scholarship, USC Educational Foundation, 1027 Barnwell St., Columbia, SC 29208, Attn: Gift Processing, Account Name: 1B1803, Van T. Newman, Jr. Fellowship Fund. Credit card calls or questions can be sent to 803-777-6297.