Dr. Richard A. Neville

Dr. Richard A. Neville, of Gladwyne, PA, passed away peacefully on November 26, 2024 at the age of 96. He was the devoted husband to Patricia (née Nolan) for 52 years, proud father to Rich (Kristen) and Dave (Tara), and loving grandfather to Kellen, Flanner, and Emory. He was predeceased by his parents William and Elizabeth (née Flynn) and siblings William Jr, Isabelle Friedman, Mary, Marge Whelpley and Jack (Vicky). 

Born on August 3rd, 1928 in Philadelphia, PA, Rich attended West Catholic High School and joined the Brothers of the Christian Schools in May of 1943, at age 14, where he remained a Brother until 1970. His time with the Christian Brothers took him to Washington, DC; Canton, Ohio; Pittsburgh, and Rome where he served on the Brothers’ headquarters staff. A 1951 graduate of Catholic University where he majored in chemistry and education, Rich served as a teacher, principal, and eventually the Director of Education and Personnel for the Baltimore Province which encompassed LaSalle University, 12 high schools and some 400 teachers. After leaving religious life in 1970, Rich completed his Master’s in Counseling Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, became a licensed psychologist and joined Villanova University as the Assistant Director of the Counseling Center.. 

Through a network of friends in religious life, he met Pat Nolan, a former nun, at a Catholic singles dance in 1972. They bonded over their similar backgrounds in Philadelphia, religious life and education. They were married just a few months later at Villanova and the pair welcomed Richard in 1973 and David in 1975.

A lifelong student, Rich earned his Ed,D in counseling psychology from Penn in 1979. Advancing in his career, he was named Villanova’s Vice President of Student Affairs in 1981, serving in that role for 19 years. He oversaw Villanova's first basketball championship in 1985 as the lone executive left on campus to manage 4000 wild students. He helped grow Villanova's academic reputation and touched the lives of more than 30,000 students in his 30 years at the University. 

Even in retirement, Rich continued to serve, stepping in as an interim VP of Student Affairs at Cabrini College and working for nearly 14 years as a psychologist for the Marriage Tribunals of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Diocese of Scranton and the Diocese of Trenton. Although dedicated to his career at Villanova, his first love was for his family, where he was always present in his sons’ lives, never missing a game or a school event and serving as a Little League coach and exemplary role model throughout his son’s lives. 

Rich will be remembered for his selflessness and kind heart, his unwavering patience and as an incredible listener and mentor.

Funeral Services will be held at Villanova University Chapel at 11 am on Friday, December 6th, with visitation beginning at 10 am. A wake will be held at Donohoe Funeral Home, 366 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne from 6 pm - 8 pm on Thursday December 5th. 

In support of his legacy and in lieu of flowers, the family requests charitable donations to the Richard A. & Patricia T. Neville Scholarship Fund for University Leaders at Villanova University.