CENTERVILLE —
"Coach Bob" Robert Gaylord Middleton was born Aug. 5, 1921 in Centerville.
He graduated from Centerville High School in 1940 and served honorably during World War II with the US Navy from 1943-1946. The lovely Sylvania "Sally" Ranes became his wife in 1946. Together they had six children, 10 grandchildren and five great-grandsons. This was his most important work — patriarch of a big family. A long career as a metallurgical and chemical engineer began after graduating from Colorado School of Mines in 1949. Bob was the first metallurgist employed by the Maytag Company and he went on to work for Solar Aircraft, Westinghouse, Atomics Intl. and finally, Pratt & Whitney Aircraft. At PWA, with top-secret clearances, he was one of the lead consulting engineers helping develop high-tech metals used on aircraft such as the SR71 and other advanced aircraft. Bob's love of sports began at an early age. He was a star player at Centerville High in baseball and basketball. He played both sports into his early 30s. In his 40s he picked up coaching again and coached his sons and grandsons in those sports. He was involved in youth athletics in Lake Park, North Palm, Juno and Port St. Lucie. He served for years as director of the Palm Beach Gardens Youth Athletic Association with whom he coached and umpired all over the county. His last coaching work was with his granddaughter's basketball team at Jupiter Christian School when his was 82 years old. He received many awards for his untiring service to the youth of our county. Bob's joy was helping kids be the best athletes they could be and more importantly helping them become the best sportsmen and women they could be. He was in hospice when the Lord called him home Sept. 2, 2012 at 6:41 with his son, Mark at his side. He joins his daughter, Connie and grandson, Brandon and other loved ones in heaven.
Bob was one of 10 children born to Roy and Myrtle Middleton. His brother Jack Middleton lives in Moravia and his sister Donna Armstrong lives in Anabel, Mo.
The family celebrated his life in a memorial service, Saturday, Sept. 8, at Trinity Methodist Church in Palm Beach Gardens. Memorial donations by check may be made to Palm Beach Gardens Youth Athletic Association in his honor, P.O. Box 31913, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33420.
Obituaries
Related Photos
-
Robert Gaylord Middleton Submitted photo
Share your thoughts!
The Daily Iowegian welcomes your thoughts and your opinions, including unpopular ones. We ask only that you keep the conversation civil and clean. We reserve the right to remove comments that are obscene, racist or abusive and statements that are false or unverifiable. Repeat offenders will be blocked. You may flag objectionable comments for review by a moderator.
October 14, 2012
Robert Gaylord Middleton
- Obituaries
-
- Earl Eugene Arnold Earl Eugene Arnold, 68, of Live Oak, Fla. died Feb. 8, 2013. No services are planned. Interment of his cremains was in Hillcrest Cemetery in Moravia. Lange Funeral Home and Crematory was in charge of arrangements.
- Elizabeth Moore Elizabeth Moore, 88, passed away Thursday, May 23, 2013 at the Westview Acres Care Center in Leon. Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 25 at 1:30 p.m. at Randolph Funeral Home in Seymour with Al McClatchey officiating. Visitation will be held
- Kelly Leigh Morlan Kelly Leigh Morlan, 55, of Centerville, passed away Monday, May 20, 2013 at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. He was born on May 3, 1958 in Unionville, Mo., the son of Gene "Keith" and Joyce (Kessler) Morlan. Kelly graduated from Moulton High Schoo
-
Christopher Michael Boughner
Christopher Michael Boughner, a native of Appanoose County, passed away at his house in Arizona on May 16, 2013. He was born in Fairfield, on Sept. 20, 1979 to Mike and Carol Boughner. Chris was employed as a correctional officer by MTC State Prison
- Mary Margaret Adams 'Clinkenbeard' Mary Margaret Adams "Clinkenbeard," 79, of Unionville, Mo., passed away Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at her home in Unionville, Mo. Funeral services will be held at 6 bp.m. Friday May 24 at Thomas Funeral Home. Interment ail be Saturday, May 25 in York, N
-
Ella Evelyn Johnson
Ella Evelyn Johnson, 93, of St. Peter, Minn., and formerly of Aurelia and Storm Lake, was born on Sept. 9, 1919, the daughter of Iver and Gerda (Jonsson) Johnson near Pierson. Her parents were both immigrants from Sweden. Church and family was their
-
Dylon Ward Hinojosa
On May18, 2013, Dylon Ward Hinojosa was granted his angel wings and went to his heavenly home. His final days were spent surrounded by the family and friends that Dylon had touched throughout his short, yet very memorable life. Dylon's life may seem
- Kelly Morlan Kelly Morlan, 55, of Centerville, passed away Monday, May 20, 2013 at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. Funeral services are pending at Lange Funeral Home and Crematory in Centerville.
- Chris Boughner Chris Boughner, 33, of Kingman, Ariz., formerly of Centerville, passed away Thursday, May 16, 2013. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 25 at Lange Funeral Home and Crematory in Centerville with Pastor Brad Dittmer officiating. Bu
- Dylon Hinojosa Dylon Hinojosa, 23 months, passed away Saturday, May 18, 2013. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 22 at Lange Funeral Home and Crematory in Centerville. Burial will follow in the Oakland Cemetery in Centerville. A visitation will
- Dylon Hinojosa Dylon Hinojosa, 23 months, passed away Saturday, May 18, 2013. Funeral services are pending at Lange Funeral Home and Crematory in Centerville.
- Chris Boughner Chris Boughner, 33, of Kingman, Ariz., formerly of Centerville, passed away Thursday, May 16, 2013. Funeral services are pending at Lange Funeral Home and Crematory in Centerville.
- Earl Eugene Arnold Earl Eugene Arnold, 68, of Live Oak, Fla. died Feb. 8, 2013 at his home. Services are pending at the Lange Funeral Home and Crematory in Centerville.
- Dale Bennett Dale Bennett, 58, of Centerville, Iowa passed away Sunday, May 12, 2013 at his residence. At his family's request, Dale has been cremated. A memorial service will be held at a later date. A memorial has been established to the Dale Bennett Memorial F
- Brian 'B.J.' Davis Brian "B.J." Davis, 51, of Centerville passed away Monday, May 13, 2013 at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. Funeral services will held at 11 a.m., Friday, May 17 at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Centerville with the Rev. Jeremy McElvain off
- More Obituaries Headlines
