Richard James “Rick” Neuer

Richard James "Rick" Neuer, OD. age 94 of Hockessin, Delaware passed away peacefully on June 30, 2026.

Rick was born in Erie, Pennsylvania in January, 1932, the son of the late John James and Irene Hess Neuer. Rick is preceded in death by his three sisters: Elizabeth Anna “Betty” Neuer Howard of Boca Raton, Florida, Rose Marie Neuer and Mary Louise Neuer Thompson of Erie and two brothers: Charles Joseph Neuer and John Francis "Jack” Neuer OD. of Erie as well as his nephew, Paul David Thompson Sr. of Erie. 

Rick is survived by his goddaughter Sammantha Elizabeth Neuer, MBA, EA. NTPI of Newark, DE, Brooklyn, NY and Cape May, NJ; three nieces: Kathy Ann Thompson Kinard of Anderson, SC, Sandra Jean Thompson Franco & Susan  Marie Thompson Pettinato of Erie; two nephews: Mark Francis Thompson Sr. of Erie and Siroun Franklin Thompson Jr. of Campbell, OH, as well as subsequent generations of nieces and nephews.

Rick was a 1949 graduate of Cathedral Prep in Erie, and a 1954 graduate of Salus University, fka The Pennsylvania College of Optometry in Philadelphia.  Rick went on to serve as an officer in the US Air Force after graduating from optometry school. Returning home to Erie after his military service, Rick established an optometric practice with his brother, the late John Francis "Jack” Neuer, OD. Jack and Rick were in optometric practice together serving the Erie and North East communities for 37 years.

Rick was a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church in Hockessin, Delaware; Longwood Gardens in Chester County, Pennsylvania; The North West Optometric Association in Harwood Heights IL among other community organizations.

Carrying on the tradition started by their mother, Irene Hess Neuer, Rick and Jack were lifelong advocates of education, supporting nieces, nephews and children of friends in their journey to attain higher education. Rick and Jack also supported many worthy charities.

Rick enjoyed music, gardening, travel, museums, investing, cooking, volunteering, concerts, plays and was an avid reader.

Friends offered in person condolences during visitation at St. Mary of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church, 7200 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, Delaware on Thursday, July 9, 2026.

A Funeral mass was held at St. Mary of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church, 7200 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, Delaware on Thursday, July 9, 2026 at 11:00 am EDT

The Hockessin, DE arrangements were handled by the Chandler Funeral Home and Crematory, 7230 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, DE 19707. 

The Rite of Committal was held in the chapel at Gate of Heaven Cemetery and Mausoleum, 5711 West Lake Road, Erie, PA officiated by Saint Jude R.C. Church, on Thursday, July 16, 2026 at 11:00 am EDT.

The Erie, PA arrangements were handled by the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory Inc., 4216 Sterrettania Rd., Erie, PA.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to either the Food Bank of Delaware, 222 Lake Dr, Newark DE 19702 or the Second Harvest Food Bank, 1507 Grimm Dr.,  Erie Pa 16501.