Dr. Olin Terrence "Terry" Sandlin

Dr. Olin Terrence "Terry" Sandlin, Ed.D., 79, of Topeka passed away on February 10, 2023. He was born to Olin Edgar and Helene Mulveta Tarnstrom Sandlin on June 21, 1943. Terry graduated from Greenleaf High School, class of 1961, and from Kansas State University, class of 1965, with a degree in biology. He later received a Master’s in Education from Kansas State in 1967 and his Doctorate of Education from the University of Kansas in 1985. He spent his entire career working with and for Topeka Public Schools (USD 501). A lifelong educator, Terry began his career teaching science at Topeka West High School in 1968. He was named the Topeka Jaycees Outstanding Young Educator in 1973. He later became a counselor and Assistant Principal at Topeka West before becoming, successively, principal of McEachron, Highland Park North, State Street and Whitson Elementary Schools. Dr. Sandlin worked as an administrator for Topeka Public Schools before retiring as Associate Superintendent of Learning and Instruction in 2009 after a brief time as Interim Superintendent of Schools. He was also an adjunct professor of education at Washburn University and the University of Kansas and spent time teaching education at Yale University. Terry will be remembered for his love of photography, classical music, jazz, dogs, and the many people who came through his life in education in Topeka. Terry is survived by his wife of 36 years, Georgia; children, Trevin (Shannon) of Atlanta, GA, Ryan Sandlin of Topeka, Ann Goodall of Topeka, and Clayton Funk of Kansas City, Missouri; grandchildren, Miles Sandlin of Atlanta, Quinn and Robert Goodall of Topeka, and Addison and Hudson Funk of Kansas City. Many brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews from Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, New York, Ohio, South Dakota and Florida. Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Saturday, February 18, at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614. Burial will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made Topeka Public Schools Foundation, PO Box 5883, Topeka, KS 66605, Kansas Public Radio, 1120 W 11th St, Lawrence, KS 66044 c/o Membership, or to KTWU Public Television, 1700 College Ave, Topeka, KS 66621. Condolences may be sent online to www.kevinbrennanfamily.com.

Dr. Olin Terrence "Terry" Sandlin

June 21, 1943 - February 10, 2023