Edward Charles Hermann, PhD died peacefully on Thursday, March 6, 2014 at the age of 92 at his home in Newark, Delaware.

Ned was born in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania on Good Friday, March 25, 1921; son of the Rev. Dr. Edward A.G. Hermann and Emma Butzler. He was preceded in death by his sister, Dorothy Hermann Reid. Dr. Hermann was a 1942 graduate of Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee and received his PhD from MIT in Chemistry in 1949. During World War II he was chosen to work with a team of scientists on the Manhattan Project in Los Alamos, New Mexico. After marrying Katherine MacArthur in 1949, they settled in Delaware where he enjoyed a long career with DuPont developing pharmaceuticals. His signature achievement in his 32-year career was the development of the very first antiviral drug to make it through the gauntlet of FDA testing. Ned was a highly sought after Master of Ceremonies and was heavily involved in the community through Civil Defense, Scouting, the U.S. Power Squadron, Scottish Rite, Newark High School Football Boosters, the Delaware Academy of Science and The Iron Hill Museum. Affectionately known to many as “Capt’n Ned”, he not only enjoyed sailing on the Chesapeake, but loved sharing the experience with his family, friends and even strangers who were willing to learn the technique and language. After Ned’s retirement in 1982, he and Katie, his wife of 65 years, traveled around the world to all seven continents, including Antarctica. Ned regularly took time to learn the languages native to the areas they visited. He never stopped learning his whole life long. Ned and Katie were founding members of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Newark.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by their four children; Robert Hermann and his wife, Patty of Marietta, GA, Karl Hermann of Broomfield, CO, Fran Moran and her husband, Jeff of High Point, NC, Doug Hermann and Marie Cantrell of Newark, DE; and 12 grandchildren: CPT Stephen Hermann stationed in Mainz, Germany, ESN Ross Hermann stationed in Pensacola, FL, and Laura Hermann of Marietta, GA; Katherine Hermann of Boston, MA and Anna Hermann of Boulder, CO; Ben Moran of Anderson, SC, Asa Moran of Southern Pines, NC, and Erin Moran of High Point, NC; Elise Hermann of Cloquet, MN, Sara Ali of Lansing, MI, Kali Hermann of Newark, DE and Eric Hermann of Newark, DE.

A memorial service in celebration of Ned’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 23, 2014 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Newark, 420 Willa Rd, Newark, DE 19711; the family will receive guests following the service. Memorial contributions may be made payable to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Newark or to a charity of choice and sent in care to the funeral home, 122 W. Main St., Newark, DE 19711.