Olin David Vanaman passed away at his home in Milton on January 27, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. He was 73.
Olin was drafted into the U.S. Army at the age of 18, serving for four years with distinction in Vietnam. He was later stationed in Korea. After the Army, Olin returned to Delaware and became a Rehoboth Beach police officer after graduating from the Delaware State Police Training Academy. As a police officer, his fondest memories were having breakfast with Senator John J. Williams and ending shifts at the original Nicola Pizza.
While living in Philadelphia, Olin met his wife of 43 years, Luann. They moved to Delaware to attend the University of Delaware and Wilmington University. Olin earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business, the first in his family to graduate from college. From their very first meeting, LuAnn and Olin were together. They married in 1982 and built their life around family and friends. Olin’s happiest moment was the birth of their daughter, Megan, to whom he was the most loving, attentive and caring father.
Over the years, Olin worked at several retail businesses, including National 5 and 10 as well as Ames Department Store. A gifted athlete in his younger years, Olin was a talented baseball player. While LuAnn and Olin lived in Glenside, Pennsylvania, he opened The Infield, a sport collectibles business which became a hangout for collectors, many of which became close friends.
Olin was an avid fan of Philadelphia sports, especially the Phillies, and cherished memories throughout his life of his interaction with the baseball community.
After he retired, the couple lived in Wilmington for a short time before returning to Sussex County in 2018, moving to Milton. Olin enjoyed visiting his old haunts and telling stories about his many jobs and youthful adventures. There were many favorite stories, but his summer job working the midnight shift at Draper King Cole warehouse was a standout. Let’s just say Olin and his buddy were racing forklifts and the can label shelving got in the way. With thousands of labels for peas and carrots covering the floor, Olin had a short career in the canning company.
When the couple moved to Cannery Village in Milton, it was a full circle moment and his happy place was sitting on the porch with LuAnn and Megan, visiting with neighbors and friends. Dogs and children especially loved Olin and he loved them.
Olin is survived by his loving wife, LuAnn Koppenhaver Vanaman; his daughter, Megan Vanaman; siblings Patsy Bennett, Donna Johnson, Charles Vanaman, Ronna Cobb (Jesse), Marylee Blair and Robert Vanaman III (Lynn).
He was preceded in death by his parents, Thelma Doris Monks and Robert Vanaman Jr.; his nieces Michelle Wilkins, Madison Peterman and nephew, Larry Bennett.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Milton Fire Department, 116 Front Street, Milton DE 19968 or Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford DE, 19963.
Olin’s legacy will be remembered through the lives he loved.
