Philip F. Newman Jr., 86, of South Whitehall Township, died on Jan. 11, 2019, in St. Luke’s Hospital, surrounded by his comfortably blended family.

Born in Allentown, he was the son of Dr. Philip F. Newman and his wife, the former Dorothy Albright.

He leaves behind his sweetheart of almost 16 years, Wendy Engler Shade; children Dr. P. James Newman, Cara Steidel, wife of Dave, Amy Newman, and Jill Camuti, wife of Vincent; grandchildren Jaimie Newman, Brian Newman and wife Megan, Tacie Steidel Williams and husband Matt, Tanner Steidel, Cali Camuti and Emily Camuti; and great-granddaughter Lucy Williams.

He always said he was blessed in life to be accepted into more than one family, and also leaves behind extended family in Kristin Leard and husband Doug, children Tyler, Brian and Corinne; Drew Whitner and wife Suzie; Jennifer Shade Hernandez and husband Eduardo, son Joseph; and Stephanie Burke and son Shawn.

A 1950 graduate of Allentown High School, he was a proud 1954 graduate of Lehigh University, also receiving his Master’s in Business Administration degree from Lehigh in 1972. Go Engineers!

A veteran of the Army Corps of Engineers, he spent his entire engineering career at Air Products and Chemicals, having been hired by Leonard Pool himself during breakfast at the Livingston Club, Allentown.

He was most proud of the part he played in helping design and build the Air Products Corporate headquarters in Trexlertown, where he finished his career as manager of general services.

He believed volunteer service was the backbone of a democracy and in his adult life he served as a Lehigh County commissioner, was a charter member of the PIAA Swim Officials Association, an area manager for the United Way Campaign, director for the Pennsylvania Division of the American Cancer Society, YM-YWCA swim coach, chairman of the Air Products Retirees Association, member of the Joint Planning Commission Task Force, director of the Western Lehigh Business Association, member of the Lehigh County Authority, member of the Lehigh County Board of Assistance, recruitment chairman for the Lehigh County Republican Committee, on the committee for the Governor’s Review of Government Management under Gov. Milton Shapp, facilities chairman for the Boy Scout Jamboree, member of the Board of Directors of both Trident Swim Club and Brookside Country Club.

He liked to say, “There’s rust in these golden years,” but he walked and carried his golf clubs until age 79, just so he could “drink all the beer” he wanted.

He still enjoyed winter traveling to a warm island, Lehigh football, watching swimming and evaluating the strokes during the Olympics, classic country music, and listening to the family’s personal bagpiper and the Liberty High School Grenadier Marching Band.

Donations in his memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 3893 Adler Place, Suite 170, Bethlehem, PA 18017; to the Alzheimer’s Association, Delaware Valley Chapter, 399 Market St., Suite 102, Philadelphia, PA 19106, or to a charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements were made by J.S. Burkholder Funeral Home, Allentown.