Vannett D. Pfieffer, retired technician

Vannett Donald Pfeiffer, 79, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015, at his home.

He was born Dec. 7, 1935, in Allentown, Pa. to Helen Harvey and Harold Pfeiffer. Having lived in Allentown he and his parents moved to Patchougue, Long Island, N.Y. when he was 9 and he graduated from Patchogue Medford High School in 1955. He served in the U.S. Navy for four years. He married Patricia Caldwell and had three children. He divorced Pat in 1981 and married Muriel Swenor Caldwell in 1982, and lived in Patchogue until they moved to Rehoboth Beach in 1999, then to Warwick Park, Millsboro, in 2000.

He worked at Brookhaven National Lab, Upton, Long Island, N.Y. for over 40 years as an electronics technician, he had the pleasure of building the first pet scanner at the lab. While on Long Island he was commodore of South Country Yacht Club in 1976; he had a boat that he and Pat used as their vacation home with their three children for many years, vacationing at Leja Beach, Fire Island.

After moving to Delaware he became known as “Van the Music Man” in the local area as a DJ with his country music until recently. He was a member of the Patchogue Elks for over 40 years, serving as an officer for many years, and becoming a lifetime Elks member, he joined the Cape Henlopen Elks Lodge in 1999 where he also played his music; the Indian River Yacht Club for 12 years having been commodore in 2014; was a lifetime member of the AmVETS in Patchogue, and Millsboro as a founding member of Post 2 and American Legion and VFW.

He was predeceased by his parents, Helen and Harold Pfeiffer; and son Donald. He leaves his daughters Denise Smith and Diana Pfeiffer, and wife Muriel Pfeiffer; grandchildren Sharon Smith, Shawn Smith, Jodi Puls and Jessie Puls, Melissa Pfeiffer, DJ Pfeiffer and Damian Pfeiffer; and many great-grandchildren; also a cousin, Catherine Kane of Lewes.

A memorial service will be held Monday, Feb. 23, at 11:45 a.m. at the chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 32013 Long Neck Road in Millsboro, where friends may call after 10:45 a.m. Interment will be at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Millsboro Monday at 1 p.m.

Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.melsonfuneralservices.com.