Roger Nolan, a former product development manager at Orbis Corp., died Feb. 24 following a 13-year illness. He was 65.
Nolan worked for Excel Tool for 20 years and continued another 14 years at Ropak, Linpac, Norseman and finally Orbis, through a series of acquisitions.
He received 11 U.S. patents and 11 Chinese patents related to containers and other technology breakthroughs prior to retiring in 2011. He also has sever patents pending.
Born in 1958 in Seymour, Ind., Nolan graduated from Seymour High School in 1976, where he received a medal for not missing any school for 12 years. He was a member of the 1976 state water polo championship team, a lifeguard and a referee for Seymour Swimming. He taught many children to swim throughout the years.
"Nolan loved woodworking, coin collecting, fishing, golfing, oil painting, charcoal drawing, swimming, watching Bonanza, Perry Mason and Gunsmoke. But most of all, he loved spending time with his grandchildren," a statement said.
Nolan was a member of the Society of Plastics Engineers, Redeemer Lutheran Church and Elks Lodge #462.
He is survived by his wife, Elaine Jo Tuggle, his daughter Kirsten Lynn Nolan (Tony), twin grandchildren, Nolan James and Adalyn Rosemary Elizabeth, and sister, Peggy Ann Drees.
Nolan's parents, Arvile Alva and Joy Delight (Boling) Nolan, two premature children, and his sister, Diane (Manoocheir) Montamedi, preceded him in death.
Funeral services were Feb. 28. Memorial contributions may be given to Redeemer Lutheran Church, Kirsten Lynn Nolan Nursing Scholarship or to Schneck Medical Hospice.