Robert Neal Harvey

Robert Neal Harvey of North Tustin, Ca. passed away peacefully at home at age 80, enveloped in the love of his family. Neal was born in Orlando, Florida, the son of Zibie Newton Harvey and Alice Taylor Crux Harvey, an original Orlando family.

Neal attended Boone High School in Orlando and graduated with degrees in mechanical and electrical engineering from M.I.T. in Boston, Mass., where he met Sheila McDevitt, his wife of 56 years. They married in 1966 and together had two children, Kimberly Ann Harvey and Bryan Patrick Harvey. While at M.I.T. Neal was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity.

Neal began his professional career at General Motors Research Labs in Michigan where he began his lifelong research in automotive testing and developing instrumentation for measurement of auto emissions. This work led Neal around the world working with private manufacturers as well as government officials tasked with creating ever cleaner vehicles and reducing noxious air pollutants. Along the way Neal invented several processes and instruments critical to this process. Neal continued his scientific endeavors at Beckman Instruments in Fullerton, Ca. and Horiba Instruments in Irvine, Ca.

But life was not all work and no play, for Neal enjoyed the many family camping trips, ski vacations, international travel, golf outings, and times spent with close friends. His enjoyment of golf led Neal and Sheila to their vacation home in Palm Desert, Ca. at Ironwood Country Club.

Neal is survived by his wife Sheila, brother Larry C. Harvey of Orlando, son Bryan Harvey and wife Aisling Malone Harvey, grandchildren Bayla and Caelyn of San Francisco, and daughter Kimberly Ann Harvey of Corona Del Mar, Ca.

Services will be held Saturday, December 17th at 11:00 AM in the chapel at Fairhaven Memorial Park, 1702 Fairhaven Ave., Santa Ana, Ca. Reception will follow at the family home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Parkinson’s Resource Organization of

Palm Desert, Ca. or the national Parkinson’s Foundation.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.fairhavenmemorial.com for the Harvey family.