Maylan Newton, 67, died unexpectedly on Jan. 26. Maylan was ever present in our industry as a teacher, mentor and, above all, a friend, beloved by many.
Monday morning news last week was a tough one for me and many others. When I clicked the message board email for the Automotive Service Councils of California, I had to reread the post, for surely I had misread it. I hadn’t.
Maylan Newton, 67, had died unexpectedly the day before on Sunday, Jan. 26. Hard news to take, as Maylan was ever present in our industry as a teacher, mentor and, above all, a friend, beloved by many.
I first met Maylan at an ASA Colorado training event more than a decade ago and immediately liked him — a top-shelf educator who could hold the room with his tell-it-like-it-is, no-nonsense, keep-yourself-accountable attitude. He was so much more than that, though. He listened. He cared. He was genuine. More recently, we discussed efforts in getting the next generation into the industry and trade schools, for which he had a passion, and his involvement in SkillsUSA.

Maylan was also a family man and grandfather. Every ASA Colorado event was also an opportunity to visit his grandchildren nearby. He told me over lunch, with a twinkle, that his strategy for visits was to avoid the holidays so he “could have them all to himself.” For me, that was Maylan.

Word of his passing spread quickly and an outpouring of Maylan memories soon followed. Here are just a few.
“Maylan was a man with many hats and his abilities were endless and always there to help improve this industry as well as training, fund raising at the drop of a hat, personal improvement or advocating thru ASCEF, mentoring. The list is long. He gave so much to so many.”
— Steve Vanlandingham, Van’s Automotive

“Two things that always made Maylan smile: 1) His children and grandchildren and 2) Helping anyone, any way, any time, with their automotive shop issues. Advisor training. Labor rate discussion. Fleet consideration. You name it; Maylan was down to talk about it!
“So many touch points of Maylan still exist in our shop, it literally brings tears to my eyes. You wanna leave a legacy? Be THAT GUY for your industry, your people, your business!”
— Pat Schnaidt, All Tech Automotive

“Mr. Maylan Newton was a very special person in my life and many others. Employees hated him but employers loved him because he made the employees do most of the work as it should be. I enjoyed his free monthly webinars. One of the last ones was about leaving a legacy. Maylan has definitely left a legacy in the automotive industry.”
— Dave Morris, Morris Automotive

“I loved Maylan. He was a friend that didn’t keep track. Didn’t matter who phoned last or who sent the last email … he was just always there no matter when I phoned. He was my partner at Team Weekends (ASCCA), my Friday night dinner companion, and who I had breakfast with each day at the events over the last 20-plus years. He shared photos of his kids and grandkids — told funny stories of relating to a toddler and how the toddler reminded him of some shop owners. LOL. He had a dry wit and was quick to a hysterical pun or one-liner. I will miss him terribly.”
— Angi Roberts, ASCCA Association Manager

“Since receiving the heartbreaking news of Maylan’s passing, I have found myself lost in memories of the enlightening and inspiring seminars he led and hosted. Maylan had a remarkable ability to make learning an adventure, infusing our meetings with vitality and enthusiasm. Whenever our chapter sought to pack the room for events like our toy drive, we knew we could count on Maylan to draw a crowd. He had an uncanny knack for motivating us to “slay the dragon” in our shops and always emphasized the importance of remaining positive and composed amidst challenges.”
— Rory Balmer, Twin Peaks Auto Service
And there are many more. For those who would like to pay tribute, you can also help support a scholarship he established in his name, the Maylan Newton Scholarship Fund. Kate Peyser, Executive Coordinator of the ASC Educational Foundation, wrote me, “The ASCEF would LOVE to have our ASCCA family and others who loved Maylan complete that fund so we can award a scholarship this year and honor him. All the money that he collected at Team Weekends and Chapter events he did not take credit for in his own scholarship fund, which is why it is not fully funded yet.”
She added that funds need a minimum of $10,000 for ASCEF to be able to award a scholarship as they only award the profits and keep the foundation intact so that the fund goes on in perpetuity. Contact Kate at kpeyser@amgroup.us or donate online with a note that you want your donation to go to his fund. Kate will be sure that your donation is properly credited.
Folks can also send in a check to the ASCEF Office at 1 Capitol Mall, Suite 800, Sacramento, CA 95814 and make a note that it is for his fund. Maylan was a founding Trustee of the ACSEF, and as Kate told me, “His dedication to the industry was immeasurable and he will surely be missed.”
Ain’t that the truth. Godspeed, Maylan.
For Maylan’s obituary, visit here.
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