Erby George Middleton Jr. born May 3, 1927, in Norfolk, Va., died peacefully in his home Dec. 7, 2009.
The son of Erby George Middleton and Thelma Wood Middleton, he was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Beverly Randolph Middleton.
George graduated from Norview High School in 1944 where he lettered in baseball and football and was awarded runner-up for All Tidewater Tackle. After a year attending Virginia Tech, he enlisted in the Army and served in the Signal Corp in Bavaria near Munich, Germany. Upon returning to Virginia Tech he graduated in 1950.
In 1950 he joined his father’s electrical contracting firm, E. G. Middleton, Inc., Electrical Contractors and remained active until his death, becoming President and Chairman. He was particularly proud to wear the hats of electrical engineer, contractor, and electrician. He was active in his profession as a Registered Professional Engineer and held membership in the Virginia Society of Professional Engineers, and was chairman of the Tidewater and Virginia Chapters of the National Electrical Contractors Association. George served as Chairman of the Board of Electrical Examiners for the City of Norfolk for fifteen years and was Chairman of the Builders and Contractors Exchange of Tidewater.
George shared his talent, vision, and enthusiasm with a multitude of organizations such as his alma mater Virginia Tech, Norfolk’s School System, Virginia Wesleyan College, The Christian Temple, Bayside Presbyterian Church and Sentara. Many judge success by the index of a salary, but to George success was the quality of his service to his community.
Throughout his life he remained true to the Hokie spirit as Chairman of the Dean’s Advisory Committee of the College of Engineering and as a member on the Committee of 100 of the College of Engineering, the UT Prosim Society, the Legacy Society, the board of Industrial Diversification Committee, College of Engineering.
In the field of education, George served as a member of the Norfolk City School Board for seven years, and then for four years as it’s Chairman during the implementation of massive bussing. At Virginia Wesleyan College he served as a trustee.
While attending The Christian Temple and later Bayside Presbyterian, George was active as a Sunday School Teacher as well as an Elder and Trustee.
George was active in health care for 32 years, acting as Chairman of Norfolk General Hospital and Chairman of the Building Committee of Leigh Memorial Hospital. Under George’s leadership these hospitals later became known as Medical Center Hospitals, Norfolk, Va., Alliance, and then Sentara, where he was Chairman of the Board for 20 years.
George firmly believed that integrity is doing the right thing, even if no one is watching. As a result, he was awarded many honors such as being the only non-hospital administrator chairman of The Board of Directors of Virginia Hospital and Health Care Association. In 1985, George was named ‘Trustee of the Year’ by Modern Healthcare Magazine. In 1997, he was the recipient of the Colgate W. Darden, Jr. Scouter Citizen of the Year Award. In 2002, George was named FIRST CITIZEN of Norfolk.
George was a sought after speaker and presenter. Honing his skills as a young man in Toastmasters, he had the amazing skill of remembering hundreds of joke punch lines. He would tailor the content of a joke to fit each audience. His audiences ranged from Medical Societies to U.S. Senate sub- committees to local service organizations. In addition, no family affair passed without George gracing the event with his rhyming and humorous prose.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 24 years, Elizabeth Franck Middleton, who was his Number One cheerleader and his support partner at E. G. Middleton, Inc. and who gave him the freedom to partake in so many outside activities. He is also survived by his daughter, Melissa Middleton Knight, her husband, E. Falcon Knight Jr.; his son, E. G. (Rudy) Middleton III, his wife, Dawn Klein Middleton; his stepdaughters, Donna Dougherty Ellis, her husband, Walter E. Ellis III, Dana Jo Dougherty Decker, her husband, Peter G. Decker III, and Dawn Dougherty Wilson, her husband, Charles W. Wilson. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Virginia (Ginny) Middleton Meredith, Sarah Scott Meredith, Madison Selden Ellis, Miranda Leigh Ellis, Ryan David French, Erby George Middleton IV, Evan Garrett Middleton, Zoe Elizabeth Decker, Peter G. Decker IV, Lucas Charles Wilson, Peyton Elizabeth Wilson; and sister-in-law, Ernestine K. Middleton; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Tish and Harold Bock. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and a large extended family.
A memorial service will be held at Bayside Presbyterian Church, 1400 Ewell Rd, Virginia Beach, Va., on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009, at 2 p.m. A reception will follow in the Social Hall. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Sentara Foundation, 6015 Poplar Hall Drive, Norfolk, VA 23502 or CHKD Foundation, 601 Children’s Lane, Norfolk, VA 23507, or to a charity of choice.
In a final tribute to George, we offer a few lines in his indelible style.
You lived your life an example
The blueprints and visions are ample.
To us the future you entrust
To continue your legacy a must.
