Robert D. "Moose" Handlin, 63, of Delphi, died June 27, 2004, at 5 p.m. at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.  He had been a patient there since March 29.
  He was born Aug. 4, 1940, in Lincoln, Ill., to Merle and Eloise Kilmartin Handlin.  His marriage was to Sherry M. Cockrum in Decatur, Ill., on Oct. 16, 1965, and she survives.
  Mr. Handlin graduated from Illioplis High School in 1958.  He attended Lincoln Land Jr. College at Springfield, Ill., from 1968 to 1970, receiving his associate's degree.  From 1970 to 1972, he attended Eastern Illinois University at Charleston, Ill., receiving his B.S. in education.  He did his graduate work at the University of Illinois from 1980 to 1982, receiving his M.S. in administration.  He was a graduate of Indiana Principals Leadership Academy.
  From 1972 to 1980, he taught biology at Mahomet-Seymour Jr., High School, to seventh and eighth grad students.  From 1981 to 1982, he was the assistant principal and athletic director there for sixth, seventh, and eighth grades.  He was principal of that school from 1982 to 1992, then moved to Delphi, where he was the principal of Delphi Community High School.
  He worked from 1992 until his retirement on June 30, 2003.  While at Mahomet, he was the defensive coordinator for the high school football team, head coach of the girls track team, and head coach of the boys wrestling team.  At Delphi, he helped coach both boys and girls track.
  Highlights of his coaching career at Mahomet included his teams winning five state championships in seven years.
  Mr. Handlin was Shriner All Star Football Game Assistant Coach in 1977; Champaign Officials Association Coach of the Year in wrestling in 1980 and and girls track in 1979; Illinois Wrestling Coaches Association Coach of the Year nominee in 1978, 1979, and 1980, Illinois High School Association Coach of the Year in Class A Girls Track, 1980-1981; and Region IV Principal of the Year.
  He was a member of the National Association of Secondary School Principals; Indiana Principals Association; and Delphi Lion Club.
  Mr. Handlin was an avid golfer, and enjoyed fishing in Canada, and reading.
  Surviving with his wife are a son, R. Dirk Handlin of Saginaw, Mich.; a brother, James Handlin of Springfield, Ill., and two sisters, Doris Mourning and Myrlene Gordy, both of Springfield, Ill.
  Friends may call today (Wednesday) from 3 to 8 p.m. at Abbott Funeral Home, Delphi.  Services are Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at Delphi United Methodist Church, where his body will lie in state one hour prior to the service. Rev. Todd Ladd will be officiating.  Burial will be at Grandview Memorial Gardens in Champaign, Ill.
  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Delphi United Methodist Church Youth Ministries.  Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
 
Obituary notice taken from Carroll County Comet, Wednesday, June 30, 2004