David B. Hanenkrat, who retired as manager of the University of Delaware Bookstore in 1998, died Nov. 16, 2017. He was 82.

According to his obituary, “His many years as manager of the University of Delaware Bookstore exposed him to much of what was very stimulating to his curious mind. He often referred to the employees he supervised there as ‘his family.’”

A devoted reader, Mr. Hanenkrat was particularly interested in in history, especially events leading up to World War II. He was also interested in the workings of aircraft, rocketry, railroad locomotives, automobiles and ships. He spent many hours at the Pennsylvania Railroad Museum in Strasburg, Pennsylvania, as well as time researching the history of the bygone “Peachy” railroad. He also read everything he could find about the sinking of the Titanic.

A graduate of Oxford, Pennsylvania, High School, he served in the U.S. Army and the Air National Guard. He attended William Jennings Bryan University in Dayton, Tennessee, and graduated from the University of Delaware in 1959 as a teacher. He taught for one year in Salisbury, Maryland.

Mr. Hanenkrat attended the Blessed Hope Bible Tabernacle in Oxford, Pennsylvania.

He is survived by his cousin, Ruth Sherman, and her son, John Sherman, both of California.

A viewing for friends and relatives will be held from 1-1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 21, at the Ruffenach Funeral Home, 224 Penn Ave., Oxford, Pennsylvania, followed by a graveside service at Oxford Cemetery, 220 North Third St., Oxford.

Condolences may be left online.