Norris R. Sandlin, age 89, known as Roger to friends.
Distinguished Air Force veteran, collector of all things toys, comics, cars, and Wizard of Oz, antique toy dealer, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather. Roger was born in Lebanon, Indiana and spent most of his school years through college in Cincinnati. He died peacefully at home surrounded by family and some of his favorite things. Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Alva Rogers Sandlin and Bertha Marie (Spidel) Sandlin, his wife of 64 years Frances Anne (Fogleman) Sandlin, his older brother Steven M. Sandlin, his grandson Colin Patrick Sandlin, and his grandson Nolan Ryan Sandlin. Roger is survived by his daughter Karen Sandlin Silverman and her husband Scott Silverman, his son Russel Lee Sandlin and his wife Judel Sandlin, grand-daughters Larkin Anne Silverman and her husband Bobby Dombroski, Amanda Ray Silverman, Hannah Belicia Sandlin, Abigail X Sandlin, grandson David Sandlin, and great-grand-daughter Alma Lucia Silverman Dombroski. Roger graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a BS in zoology and Southern Illinois University with an MBA. He met his wife Fran at UC. Soon after graduation, Roger joined the Air Force and took his family to Florida, Georgia, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Northern California, Southern California, and Alaska, before finally retiring in Delaware. Roger served in the US Air Force for 22 years and for his service in Vietnam was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross which is awarded “to those who have distinguished themselves by single acts of heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight.” He was also awarded the Air Medal which is also awarded for heroism or aerial flight extraordinary achievement during combat. After living in Delaware for 25+ years, Roger and Fran followed Karen and Scott to Indiana to become next-door neighbors and to enjoy revisiting their old stomping grounds. In 2014, Roger and Fran once again followed Karen and Scott and moved across the road in Dresden, Maine. With Fran, Roger ran the antique toy business Sandlin Toys. They spent many (wicked early) Sunday mornings traveling to the Black Angus antique mall in Adamstown, PA where they ran a booth selling their treasures to collectors and competitors alike. Roger was an active member of the Antique Toy Collectors of America (ATCA) and hosted an ATCA convention in Delaware. In addition to toy conventions, he loved a family trip to South Africa and Zambia to visit his
granddaughter who was studying in Johannesburg. Roger was a life-long reader and his love of reading inspired his librarian daughter Karen in her choice of career. He loved old movies, all
types of music, and kept up on current events. As Roger’s health declined, the family is thankful for all the services provided by Togus VA Medical Center, his home health team, Beacon Hospice Services, and his long-time aide Dianna. The family is especially thankful to his granddaughter Amanda who not only provided care for him but also for her grandmother. If you wish to remember Roger, please consider a donation to the Town of Dresden, Maine for the Veteran’s Memorial Project. Services to be held at a later date.