Born near Belington, West Virginia, on April 1, 1929, Noel's birthday celebrations each year were always great days for playing pranks on him. One of seven children attending a one-room schoolhouse in Talbott Community, Noel graduated from Belington High School as valedictorian. He then attended West Virginia University, where he earned a B.S. in chemical engineering and met the love of his life, Henrietta.
He served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, then joined Eastman Kodak Company in Rochester, New York, as an engineer and manager until his retirement in 1985. While at Kodak, Noel and Henrietta moved with their four sons to Panama on assignment for two years. He joined Polychrome Corporation as manager of quality assurance, settling in Bridgeport, New Jersey, in 1985. In 1990, he retired to North Carolina (New Bern and Greenville).
Noel served the United Methodist Church in various capacities, in addition to singing in the choir and playing handbells. He also served with several professional engineering organizations, the Civic Theatre, Habitat for Humanity, as president of the New Bern Kiwanis Club, and sang in the Southern Gentleman’s Barbershop Chorus. Noel and Henrietta traveled to South America, Egypt, Israel, Canada, Mexico, and all over the United States (including Alaska and Hawaii). Beginning in 1968, the family also went on many trips to Europe.
Noel will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 68 years, Henrietta; six children; 18 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, three brothers, two sisters, and a grandson. He is survived by his children: Kenneth (Ann Marie) of N. Kingstown, Rhode Island; David (Cindy) of Belington, West Virginia; Donald (Vickie) of Mineola, Texas; Mark (Hanne) of Wyomissing, Pennsylvania; Linda Topp (Kevin) of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Jeanette Altavela (Edd) of Ontario, New York.
"We always heard 'I love your parents' from their friends. We do too." – Jeanette Altavela (daughter)
*All obituaries are submitted by family and friends of the deceased.
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