Neal Charles Tvedt was born April 27, 1931 in St. Paul, Minnesota, the son of Chester Gilbert Tvedt, a veteran of both world wars, and Anna Caroline (Bloom) Tvedt. Raised in a military family, Neal saw many parts of the country as a young boy, and enjoyed fishing and spending time outdoors. Neal graduated from Martinsburg High School in West Virginia in 1949, where he lettered in football.

Neal attended West Virginia University for one year before enlisting in the Marine Corps in 1951. Neal served as an electronics instructor during the Korean War and following his service decided to make engineering his career. He earned a B.S. in Engineering from UC Berkeley in 1958 and went on to a distinguished career at Lockheed Missiles and Space Company. In 1991 Neal was recognized with an Exceptional Achievement Award from the Navy for his work on the Poseidon and Trident missile systems. Neal also made key contributions to the MQM-105 Aquila and Gravity Probe B projects at Lockheed.

Neal met his wife Lillian Edna Morrison while stationed near Chicago with the Marines. They married in 1952 and made their home in San Jose, where they raised five children. In 1969 Neal designed a modern, one-story house for his family and took pride in working on his home and the landscape. After separating from Edna in 1975, Neal lived in Sunnyvale and San Carlos. He enjoyed listening to jazz, playing chess, golf, and tennis, and photographing the scenic beauty of the Bay Area. Neal was a devoted fan of the San Francisco Giants baseball team and San Francisco 49ers football team.

After taking early retirement from Lockheed, Neal traveled extensively throughout North America, visiting National Parks and photographing nature and animals. He spent the last 15 years of his life in Santa Maria and Lompoc.

Neal passed away on February 6, 2014, in Lompoc. He is predeceased by his wife Edna. He is survived by his five children, Sherry (Howard) Davis, Laurie Tvedt, Jana (Rudi) Joham, Brian (Jinsong) Tvedt, and Wayne Tvedt, and seven grandchildren: Will and Natasha Davis; Lia, Jaden, and Natalia Joham; and David, Peter, and Jeffrey Tvedt.

Neal's children are deeply grateful to Meridian of Lompoc and Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care for their professsionalism and for their personal devotion to Neal's needs during his final months.

Neal will be inurned at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. A memorial gathering will be held at the home of Brian and Jinsong Tvedt in Syosset, New York.