Richard George Middleton, MD, 85, beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend, and physician, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on October 10, 2018, following a courageous battle with brain cancer. Dick was born May 7,1933 in Salt Lake to Richard P. and Lucy Rose Middleton, the oldest child and brother to two sisters, Mary and Anne, who like Dick and their father, were physicians. Educated at Uintah Elementary, Roosevelt Jr High, East High, the University of Utah, and Cornell Medical School, from which he graduated in 1958. In 1957 he married Jayne Griffin, of Salt Lake, and also East High. Together they raised 4 children (2 boys, 2 girls) and were married for 61 years.
Following medical school, Dick embarked on residencies in New York City in general surgery and urology, with a two year stint as a doctor in the U.S. Navy sandwiched in between. Dick cherished the medical knowledge and travel opportunities the military experience afforded him. He also greatly cherished his urology residency under the tutelage of his mentor, Dr. Victor Marshall. Returning home to Utah in 1967, Dick practiced Urology for a short time with his father before being named the Urology Chairman at the University of Utah at the tender age of 35.
Dick's tenure as the "Chief" of Urology at the U. was unparalleled in the annals of American Urology. He served as the chief for 36 years, and 4 more on the faculty. He was one of the youngest division chairmen and longest tenured in the country. He trained scores of urologists, served on myriad boards and associations and in leadership positions, and was prolific in his academic scholarship as well. He attained numerous awards and recognition in his field, and was universally respected. Through it all Dick remained a rock of humility and stability.
Dick greatly enjoyed time with family, travel that took him around the globe, playing tennis, classical music, rooting for the University of Utah football and basketball teams and the Jazz, and attending the Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City. He continued in all these pursuits and more well into his early 80s.
In his personal and professional life both, Dick was renowned and beloved for his steadfast, no nonsense, common sense and hard working approach. Firm but fair, he imparted life lessons and steadying influence to all he came in contact with in his understated way. Dick was famous for his simple yet effective bromides such as "you'll be fine", "listen here" and "do your best." Fighting ill health in his final years, he nonetheless acted with humility, dignity and kindness.
Family was the paramount concern and joy in Dick's life. Though he might want you to believe otherwise, he loved working on and maintaining the family's back yard swimming pool and delighted in seeing his kids and grandkids enjoy the swimming hijinks. He took great delight in the accomplishments of his kids and grandkids. We will greatly miss his wisdom, leadership and steadying influence in our lives.
Dick is survived by his wife, Jayne, and three children: Liz (Randy) Jensen, Will (Michelle) Middleton and Amy Middleton; and eight grandchildren: Peter (Bobby), Caitlin (David), Katherine, Madeline, Emma, Christian, Julia and George. Preceded in death by his parents, his two sisters, and his son Richard.
The family would like to thank Visiting Angels of Salt Lake, Huntsman Cancer Institute and Huntsman Hospice for their loving and compassionate caregiving which allowed Dick to remain in his own home until the end, which was of great comfort to him and his family.
Funeral service will be held Monday, October 15, 2018 at 11:00 AM at Larkin Mortuary Downtown, 260 East South Temple, Salt Lake. Viewings will be held Sunday, October 14, from 6 to 8 PM, and on Monday, October 15 from 9:30 to 10:45 AM, prior to the funeral, both at Larkin Mortuary Downtown. Interment at Salt Lake City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to donate to the Richard G. Middleton, MD and Jayne G. Middleton Presidential Endowed Chair in Urology at the University of Utah (801-581-3720).
