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Albert George Newnham, Jr., 86, of West Chester, passed away on Monday, August 19, 2019. Al was born on October 11, 1932, in Poughkeepsie NY, the son of Albert Newnham and Ethel Rodber. By age 10 the family, which included his older sister, Dawn would relocate to Red Hook near the Hudson River. Al would spend much of his time during WWII, like many other boys, in the Boy Scouts. A late start to kindergarten and medical issues delayed school. He graduated from Red Hook High school in 1952 as a 20-year-old senior. As the son of a PE Instructor, and with an age advantage, Al excelled in athletics. He moved to Washington DC to attend a Prep School know to facilitate entrance to the Naval Academy. It was while attending Prep School that he met his wife to be, June Louise Maas. After two years of Prep School, he had not received an appointment. His Navy Reserve Unit activated Al and he worked on Optics for Naval Guns at the Washington Navy Yard. These six months of activation qualified him as a Korean War Vet. Al was then eligible for an active duty enlisted-man's appointment to the Naval Academy. He qualified and attended the academy in 1954. Al left the Naval Academy after only a semester. He returned home to Red Hook and attended Duchess County Community College. He would later commute 100 miles each way to Fairleigh Dickenson University in NJ, where he attained his bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering. There were many jobs from Iceland to Texas. Employers included Hercules Powder, Philco Electronics, and Burroughs. However, his two stints with Boeing would dominate his career with about 32 years of service as an aerospace engineer. When he retired from Boeing he became a founding member of the American Helicopter Museum in West Chester. Al spent years as a docent and was their Boy Scout Leader for their Venture / Explorers Post focused on Flight. He and June married in 1958 and they enjoyed 61 years together. Al is survived by his wife June; daughter, Corinne Newnham Dockstader; sons, A. George (Deborah) Newnham, and Mark A. (Marisel) Newnham; sister, Dawn Teator of Charleston, South Carolina; and eight grand kids, Tyler, Alan, Tom, Victoria, Gabriela, Sara and Teresa. But by far he spent the most time with his autistic grandson, Nick. Al was a 59-year member of Church of the Holy Trinity in West Chester. Service to others and simply being a nice man is what he wanted to do even as Alzheimer's slowly took that ability away. He was an Eagle Scout, Civic Association Member, Boy Scout Leader, Masonic Lodge Member, Sunday School Teacher, Community/Homeless Diner Host, grandchild babysitter, an engineer, a great Dad and loving husband. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, August 29, 2019, at Church of the Holy Trinity, 212 South High Street, West Chester, where friends may call from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.

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