HAMPSTEAD — Vernon Elwood Oberdorff Jr. was born in York, Pennsylvania on September 16, 1951, to Vernon Oberdorff Sr. and Louise (Grim) Oberdorff.
He attended Red Lion High School and Lebanon Valley College to complete his bachelor’s degree. He later obtained his MBA at the University of New Haven and spent his career in manufacturing, managing plants for Stanley Tools in Connecticut, Southern Steel in North Carolina, and later established his own company, Carolina Wire Sales.
While studying at Lebanon Valley College, Vernon met his wife Diane. They married in 1973 and spent the next 53 years by each other’s side. After graduating college, they moved to Connecticut and raised their family. He had three daughters, Rachel (Darnley) Corbin, Amanda (John Adam) Reich, and Marisa Grandel. He spent his time outside of work with his family and friends, coaching his daughter’s elementary school basketball teams, camping, hiking, kayaking, and burning hot dogs on the grill.
When Vernon retired, he and Diane moved to the beach in North Carolina. They enjoyed traveling to national parks, reading, and especially spending time with the grandchildren, Avery, Alden, Johnny, Hunter, Cheyenne, and Asa. He never said no to a game of Monopoly or pickleball. Vernon taught us all what it means to love quietly, consistently, and deeply.
Vernon sadly passed away suddenly on February 18, 2026. He was predeceased by his parents, brother David, and daughter Rachel. His family and friends will dearly miss him. We hope his legacy lives on every time one of us says, “yes, I will play with you. Yes, I will be there for you”.
The family will plan a memorial service for Vernon at a future date.
If you are able and would like to support a cause important to Vernon, please consider a donation to an environmental organization such as the National Parks Foundation, or supporting research or programming for childhood cancer, such as The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, a place very special to our family.
