Robert M. Hannah

Robert M. “Bob” Hannah passed away peacefully at home on December 14th, 2025 at the age of 93.   

 Born August 14th, 1932 in Trenton, NJ to Robert P. and Ruth Hannah, Bob was a 1950 graduate of Elsinore Military Academy in Elsinore, CA. He earned degrees from Wesley College in Dover, DE in 1952 where he played baseball and basketball. Later, he attended the University of Delaware, earning a Bachelor's Degree in 1961, and his Master's of Education in 1964. 

 Bob’s coaching career at Delaware began as an Assistant in 1962, taking the helm as Head Coach in 1964. He retired at the end of the 2000 season, marking 36 years with the Blue Hens with an overall 1,053-464-6 record - the most wins in all of Delaware athletics.  

 Coach Hannah was inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Hall of Fame in 1991, was a charter member of the Delaware Baseball Hall of Fame in 1994, and was selected to the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame and Museum in 1997. Hannah also served as the ABCA President in 1988.

 He guided his teams to 12 NCAA regional appearances, 22 conference titles, and the school's only College World Series appearance in 1970.

 He coached 25 All-Americans and 33 Major League Baseball Draft selections during his tenure, including major league players Kevin Mench of the Texas Rangers, Mike Koplove of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and current Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider. 

In addition to his coaching career, Bob served as Chairman of the University of Delaware Department of Physical Education for 14 years and taught Anatomy and Physiology.

Coach Hannah has had many accomplishments over the years, but the greatest of his accomplishments was being an unconditionally loving husband to his wife June R. Hannah. Bob was a caring, loving, father, father-in-law, and grandfather who was full of humor. Pop-Pop was always happy to be in the presence of his family. He loved family dinners and holidays together. Bob always knew how to make you laugh, and we loved how he would belly laugh right along with you. Dad had a way about him that made it incredible to be in his presence. You knew how much he loved you even when he could no longer tell you. The world was a better place with Coach Hannah in it.

 In addition to his parents, Bob is preceded in death by his loving wife of 65 years, June R. Hannah. Bob is survived by his sister, Jan Farstad of Texas; daughter, Heather Hannah Knopp and husband Brian of Lynchburg, Virginia; son, Robert Bruce Hannah and wife Janay Freebery-Hannah of Newark, Delaware; six grandchildren, Matthew, Gregory, Ameliah, Ryan, Marie, Kelly; and two great-grandchildren, Hadley and Remi. He is lovingly remembered by many family, friends, and former players across the country.

Thank you to all of his players, family, friends and most importantly Margaret Joyce, his tireless caregiver, who has dedicated the last four years of her life to make his life better.  Coach Hannah will be forever remembered and honored by every person who had the privilege to know him. 

Private services will be held next week, with a public Celebration of Life to be scheduled after the holidays. 

In lieu of flowers, the Hannah family requests memorial contributions be made in Coach Hannah's name to the Children's Cancer Research Fund, https://childrenscancer.org/, or to the University of Delaware Men's Baseball program, https://bluehens.com/news/2013/8/30/209247531.

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