David William MIDDLETON

MIDDLETON, WARNES, MIDGORDEN, MCCLELLAND

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 9/16/2006 at 21:55:59

Yakima Herald Republic [Yakima, WA] 30 Aug 2005

David William Middleton
RICHLAND - David William Middleton passed away Wednesday, August 24, 2005 at Kadlec Medical Center. David was born March 14, 1914 in Eagle Grove, Iowa and was the oldest of four sons born to Guy and Hettie Warnes Middleton. The family farmed in the Troy Township area where David's great-great-grandparents homesteaded in 1855. After spending his youth working the family farm, David put himself through college and graduated from Iowa State University in 1937 with a degree in physics. The economic hard times led him to the career in high school teaching. He began in Truro, IA teaching science and coaching baseball and basketball. He then moved to Bondurant, IA where he was Principal, science teacher, and basketball coach. Though the hours were long, he established a relationship with the young Home Economics teacher, Helen Jeannette Midgorden, which would last through 64 years of marriage. David pursued his interest in aviation as a Civil Air Patrol instructor during World War II and obtained his private pilot's license after moving to Washington State in 1944. He worked at Boeing and then at the Applied Physics Laboratory of the University of Washington until the war ended. David and Helen moved to Wapato, WA in 1945 where they raised their two children, John William Middleton and Julia Ann McClelland. David taught physics, chemistry, and photography at Wapato High School from 1945 until he retired in 1976. He was so well respected as a science teacher that parents who had been his early students expressed gratitude when their children could take his courses. David and Helen moved to Richland in 1998 to be near their daughter Julie. During the 1950's David designed the family home and built it with family labor over several summer vacations. This forced him to learn multiple building trades but he was never hesitant to pick up new skills. The home on Aster Lane with its swimming pool and acre of flowers, vegetable gardens, and lawn was a favorite destination for his six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. David worked with Cub and Boy Scouts in Wapato. After retirement, he volunteered with Meals on Wheels and was a SHIBA counselor. He became an avid weaver and builder of looms with which he and Helen created clothing and household items which are much treasured by the family.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Tri-Cities Chaplaincy or Richland Meals on Wheels.