Remembering Dr Philip Bernard Neal

After leaving school in 1941at the age of 15 following the disruption and relocation of his school during the war, Philip pursued his education at night school at London’s Regent Street Polytechnic and later at Acton Technical College. During the day he worked first as a junior draughtsman at Fidelity Engineering and later as Assistant Experimental Officer at the National Physical Laboratory in Teddington. While there, he met Professor H W Swift who inspired him to study Mechanical Engineering in Sheffield.  

He graduated in 1952 with First-class Honours and was awarded the Mappin Medal and Premium for academic excellence.  

His PhD thesis concerned Thrust Bearings. The investigation of Bearings and Heat Transfer occupied his research work throughout the rest of his time at Sheffield University.   He was always most happy when designing, constructing or operating his bearings test rigs.  His research led to real-world developments via his involvement as a Fellow with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. As a lecturer and tutor he was demanding of hard work and commitment from his students, and offered those same qualities in supporting them.  In 1983 Sheffield University conferred the title of Reader on him, for distinction in scholarship and research.  Alongside his career in teaching and researching Engineering, he found great joy in Mathematics, both pure and applied, and introduced his children and grandchildren to its delights from an early age. 

In 1989 he took on the role of Dean of the Engineering Faculty, having previously served as Sub Dean for Postgraduate Affairs. 

Philip took statutory retirement in 1991 and was given the title of Honorary Reader.  He was delighted to return to teach courses to Engineering students over the next three years, while enjoying continuing access to his research lab.  He was known to state that he had not done a day’s work since arriving at Sheffield University, as he was paid to do what he most enjoyed.  

After finally retiring in September 1994, he continued to exercise his practical skills and problem-solving expertise to the benefit of his family and community and to Genealogy research.  

Philip died at the end of October 2025 at the age of 99 years.