Robert Seale Sandlin

Robert S. Sandlin passed away on August 12, 2026, after a long illness in the presence of family and friends.

Bob was born in Alexader City, Alabama to Robert S Sandlin Sr. and Billie A Sandlin of Auburn, Alabama. He attended elementary school in Auburn and graduated from Robert E Lee High School in Montgomery. He was honorably discharged from the US Navy in 1960 and attended Auburn University earning a bachelor’s degree in industrial management.

His professional career began as a manufacturing engineer in Springfield, Illinois where he would meet the love of his life, Leslie Ann Heineke, to whom he would remain married for 47 years. In 1969, Bob joined Booze, Allen & Hamilton as a management consultant where he completed a variety of assignments in the United States and Europe including the United Nations in Rome and British Steel Corporation in Cardiff, Wales. After returning to the states, Bob joined Leslie-Locke manufacturing company in Atlanta, Georgia where he ended his professional career as President & CEO. Leslie-Locke was a corporation supplying a large number of products to the home improvement industry with customers such as Home Depot and Loews.

After retirement, Bob and Leslie purchased a 46’ Choey Lee trawler that they lived aboard, with many adventures, as they cruised the Inter-coastal waterway for the next four years. Coming ashore in Savannah, Georgia in 1993, they enjoyed the next nineteen years living in the Historic District where they enjoyed many new friends as they restored four historic homes to their original beauty. When Leslie passed away in 2012, Bob returned to the sea, living aboard a 42’ Grand Banks trawler that he renamed “Always Leslie”.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife Leslie H Sandlin, and his daughter Leigh Ann Golis. He is survived by his son Michael R Sandlin of Kennesaw, Georgia, his daughter Gail S Carmen of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Bob was especially thankful to Louise Novack and her family for their long-term friendship and loving companionship in the final years of his life.