Philip F. Newman Jr.

Philip F. Newman Jr., South Whitehall Township, passed away Friday, January 11, 2019, in St. Luke's Hospital, surrounded by his comfortably blended family. He was 86.Born in Allentown, Phil 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. Phil 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.Phil was a graduate of Allentown High School, the Great Class of 1950, and a proud Lehigh University graduate, Class of 1954, also receiving his M.B.A. from Lehigh in 1972. Go Engineers! He was 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 in Allentown. Phil was most proud of the part he played in helping design and build the Air Products Corporate Headquarters in Trexlertown. He finished his career as Manager of General Services there.Phil believed that volunteer service was the backbone of our democracy. 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 Governor Shapp, facilities chairman for the Boy Scout Jamboree, member of the Board of Directors of both Trident Swim Club and Brookside Country Club.Phil 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 our personal bagpiper and the Liberty High School Grenadier Marching Band.A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at 1:00 P.M. in St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church 37 S. 5th St. Allentown. No calling hours. Interment will be private. Arrangements by the J.S. Burkholder Funeral Home, Allentown. www.jsburkholder.comIn lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Phil's memory to the American Cancer Society 3893 Adler Place, #170, Bethlehem, PA 18017 or to the Alzheimer's Association, Delaware Valley Chapter, 399 Market Street, Suite 102, Philadelphia, PA 19106, or to a charity of your choice.