Robert 'Bob' Vanaman Jr., DRBA retiree
Robert “Bob” J. Vanaman Jr., 92, of Georgetown, passed away peacefully Friday, June 28, 2013, at the Delaware Hospice Center, Milford. Robert was born March 28, 1921, in Georgetown, son of the late Robert Joseph Sr. and Fundy Jane (Marvel) Vanaman.
He was a lifelong resident of Georgetown and a World War II Navy veteran; he served as fire chief of the Georgetown Fire Company for 16 years, and was a lifetime member of the American Legion of Georgetown. He retired from the Delaware River and Bay Authority.
He was an expert gardener, growing vegetable gardens for many years. He loved the beach, his favorite spot being the Indian River Inlet. He enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Robert was preceded in death by his wife, Thelma Doris Vanaman; his siblings, a sister Maribel Larson; two brothers, Paul Vanaman and Walter Lee Vanaman; and two granddaughters, Michelle Wilkins and Madison Peterman. He is survived by a sister, Elizabeth Boyd; and his children, three sons, Charles Vanaman (Elma) of Milford, Olin Vanaman (Luann) of Wilmington and Rob Vanaman (Lynn) of Seaford; three daughters, Donna Johnson (Larry) of Milton, Ronna Cobb (Jesse) of Roxana and Marylee Blair (Mel) of Aiken, S.C.; stepdaughter, Patsy Bennett of Cambridge, Md.; 17n grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, July 5, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Dodd-Carey Chapel, 307 North Bedford St., Georgetown, where friends may visit beginning at 10 a.m. Interment with military honors will immediately follow funeral services at Union Cemetery, Georgetown.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions may be made to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford DE 19963.
