Ralph Neitzel

Ralph Newlin Neitzel passed away Sunday March 29, 2015 in St. Mary’s Medical Center after a brief illness. He was 93. Born in Philadelphia to the late Herman and Marie (Smith) Neitzel, he was raised in Bristol and was a graduate of Bristol High School Class of 1941. Ralph was preceded in death by his siblings Lola, Elwyn and Richard Neitzel. After high School and during the war, Ralph worked at Fleetwings in Bristol, assembling airplanes. He developed an interest in aviation and later earned his pilot’s license at Buehl’s Airfield on Street Road in Bensalem – “The Flying Dutchman”. He flew planes from Buehl’s Airfield until it closed. Ralph was a long-time resident of Bensalem, before moving to Attleboro Nursing Center six months ago. After he married, he became a craftsman carpenter and formed his own custom home building business. Ralph spent many summers in Surf City, New Jersey at his aunt’s vacation home. He developed a love of the ocean, navigation and sail boating. He owned his first sailboat at the age of 17. This passion continued throughout his life, and he navigated sailboats up until his late 80’s. Ralph was full of adventure and was a founding member of the Delaware River Power Squadron, and past Commander of the Pennsway Power Squadron. For many years he taught evening classes on boating safety at Bensalem High School. Through his love of sailing he met many wonderful and dear friends with whom he could share his passion. Left behind is Cliff Dunn, Ralph’s oldest and closest friend and sailing buddy. They shared many adventures on the seas. Left behind to cherish Ralph’s memory is his loving wife of 69 years, Jane (Fitch) Neitzel; two daughters, Shirley (Richard) Lefferts of Ivyland, PA and Marie (Christopher) Shafer of Williamstown, NJ; five grandchildren, Richard Jr., (Kristyn) Lefferts, Leslie (Tae) Kim, Michele(Shon) Guttman, Heidi and Emily Shafer; four great grandchildren, Caleb and Joseph Kim, Keira and Ryan Guttman; and several nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank the thoughtful and compassionate staffs at Attleboro Nursing Center, St. Mary’s Medical Center and Gentiva Hospice. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his viewing Friday 10:00 am at the Tomlinson Funeral Home, 2207 Bristol Pike, Bensalem, PA 19020 followed by his service at 11:00 am. Interment Forest Hills Cemetery, Phila. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ralph’s name may be made to St. Mary Medical Center Foundation, One Summit Square, Suite 300, 1717 Langhorne-Newtown Rd., Langhorne, PA 19047; American Red Cross, Lower Bucks County Chapter, 1909 Veterans Highway, Levittown, PA 19056. The Salvation Army, 215 Appletree Drive, P. O. Box 824, Levittown PA 19058 or charity of choice.