Dr. William "Bill" Newmeyer III has been a member of the Mechanics' Institute Board of Trustees for ten years. A retired surgeon, he is currently one of three Vice Presidents on MI's Board. Bill's interests include travel and reading. Dr. Newmeyer graciously agreed to an interview by phone.
How did you come to join the MI Board of Trustees?
During the 1980’s my medical practice was at 450 Sutter. Since the Mechanics’ Institute was close I decided to join so I could enjoy the library - specifically to take advantage of the audiobooks to listen to while walking my dog at Mountain Lake Park. On one of my walks, I happened to meet someone who worked in the MI library. We got to chatting, and I learned more about the organization. I also got to know the librarian at that time, and she encouraged me to consider becoming a Board member. I enjoy the personal relationships I have made over the years at MI.
You are quite the intrepid traveler and have been to all seven continents. Do you have a favorite destination?
I love the Mediterranean area. It's such a colorful place and there's so much history. There is so much to see there.
Looking back on my travel experience I realize that I didn’t have a “plan” to “see the world.” I had the very good fortune to marry Nancy, who liked to travel, and we were fabulous travel companions.
North America
I was born in Colorado. One memorable US trip was taken in my senior year in medical school. Along with a fellow medical student, we traveled to the Navajo Reservation (the “four corners”) for an 8-week elective study focusing on public health and modern medicine for Indigenous people.
Europe
After graduating from medical school in 1961, I decided to celebrate this milestone by traveling to Europe on a 14-hour prop plane flight to Amsterdam. My friend Peter, who’d sailed to Rotterdam, met me in Cologne. Together we traveled to Rome where we bought Vespa motor scooters and headed north through Europe to Austria, Germany, France, England and Scotland. The 1957 book Europe on $5 a Day by Arthur Frommer was our guide, leading us to many hostels, low-cost hotels and affordable tasty meals.
Asia
In 1966, courtesy of the US Army, I worked for 13 months at a MASH hospital as Chief of Surgery in South Korea. My wife, Nancy, got a visa and joined me for the duration. Together we were able to travel to Japan, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, and several countries in South East Asia including Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Singapore, and Myanmar. At a later date we visited India twice and Turkey. Separately, for a medical conference, I visited Israel.
South America
Some of my trips to South America were made for medical purposes - twice to Columbia and once to Venezuela. Other trips included Chile, Ecuador, Central America, and Mexico.
Australia
This journey included a very interesting train trip across the continent from Sydney to Perth where I participated in a medical conference.
Africa
Our travels in Africa included a safari which we thoroughly enjoyed seeing more than a dozen varieties of animals in Kenya & Tanzania. We also toured Egypt & Morocco.
Antarctica
This trip began at the tip of So America, Ushuaia, Argentina, where I took a 3-day trip on a ship to reach the continent. There we traveled by zodiac to the “land” to view explorer/scientific establishments that had existed for 50+ years. The wildlife was fascinating to observe including a variety of penguins, seabirds, seals & whales.
What are a few of your reading interests?
Well, I've been reading a lot during the pandemic. I love both nonfiction and fiction. Right now, I'm reading Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell, a historical fiction novel about William Shakespeare's marriage and family. I'm really enjoying it. Bill added for those who are interested to view “All is True,” starring Kenneth Branagh and Judi Dench, about the death of Shakespeare’s son Hamnet. (The TV and film rights to O'Farrell's novel were optioned by Hera Pictures before its March, 2020 publication).
