Charles Edwin Neu

Charles Edwin Neu, 87, passed away peacefully on Monday April 28, 2025, at Spring House Estates, in Lower Gwynedd, PA, where he had lived for the past 16 ½ years. Having grown up in the Chestnut Hill area of Philadelphia, he became a resident of Horsham in 1970, where he and his wife, Bunny, raised their family.

Edwin was born on February 6, 1938, in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania to the late Charles and Florence (née Yorke) Neu. He graduated from Central High School in Philadelphia. After high school, he served honorably in the United States Army Reserve. He went on to complete undergraduate and graduate degrees in Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science from the University of Pennsylvania.

He began his career in metallurgy working for the Bethlehem Steel Company before working for the Sun Ship Company and later the Naval Air Warfare Center in Warminster, PA, where he was known for developing application criteria for aerospace steels, titanium, and aluminum alloys used in Navy aircraft. Following retirement from the Naval Air Warfare Center, he was self-employed as president of Forensic Sciences Inc., where he frequently served as an expert witness in investigations surrounding equipment failure.

For over 60 years, until his death, he was an active member of the American Society for Metallurgy (ASM), where he served as Chairperson of the Liberty Bell Chapter. Edwin was honored as an ASM International Fellow in 2007 for his distinguished contributions to the field of material science and materials engineering. In the local community, he represented the ASM in judging the materials-related projects submitted by outstanding high school students at the Delaware Valley Science Fair.

Edwin’s true passion was to share his love for music with his children and the community. He was active as an amateur musician, performing on viola and trombone. He was a longtime member of the Warminster Symphony, the Montgomery County Concert Band, the Symphony Club Orchestra of Philadelphia,the Old Comrades Band, and multiple adult chamber ensembles at Settlement Music School. Twice a year, he and his wife, Bunny traveled to various parts of the country to play and record circus music with Windjammers Unlimited. One of Edwin’s special joys was to perform in Tuba Christmas in Lansdale, and later in Baltimore with his youngest grandson. For many years, he gathered with his children and grandchildren on Christmas Day and played together in their annual Neu family music ensemble.

A faithful follower of Jesus, Edwin was a parishioner at St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church in Ambler. He was man of integrity and quiet brilliance.

He is survived by his three children, Peter (Michaeline) Neu, Nancy (Bradley) Neu Paulis, and Andrew (Kim) Neu; six grandchildren, Nicholas, Mikayla, Scott (fiancée- Kirsten), Ben (fiancée- Claudia), Tim, and Cara. He is also survived by siblings, Marian Neu (late Stewart) Finkler, Thomas Frederick(Joanne) Neu, and Robert Alexander (late Janice) Neu, as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Elisabeth “Bunny” U. Neu in 2020. He cherished her in his heart until his final breath.

Friends and family who desire to visit in the Baltimore area may call at the home of Nancy & Brad Paulis on Saturday, May 10, 4:00-6:00 PM.

A funeral mass will be held on Monday May 12, 2025, at St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church located at 259 Forest Ave, Ambler, PA 19002. Family and friends may call from 9:30 AM to 10:15 AM, with words of remembrance at 10:15 AM, and the mass at 10:30 AM. Interment will follow at West Laurel Hill Cemetery, 321 Belmont Ave, Bala Cynwyd, PA 10994.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Edwin’s name may be made to:

Warminster Symphony Society https://warminstersymphony.org/how-to-donate/

Montgomery County Community Band https://montcoband.org/contact-us/

Concert Forum at Spring House Estates

Settlement School of Music https://settlementmusic.org/give-now/donate-today/

Arrangements by Shaeff-Myers Funeral Home.