Eric Alan Midboe

Eric Alan Midboe passed away on Friday, May 9, 2025. Eric was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and was 76 years old. He was the son of Margery Anne Windsand Midboe and Per Sigmund Midboe. Eric spent his first five years in New Orleans, Louisiana before spending most of his youth in Port Washington, Long Island, New York. Survived by his son, Per David Midboe (Erica Opper Midboe); and daughter, Margaret Sofie "Fia" Midboe (Christopher Lee Hicks); and his beloved grandchildren, Michaela Anne Midboe and Per David Midboe II. He is also survived by his brothers Kai David Midboe and Peter Mandius Midboe and their wives, children and grandchildren, along with extended family in his father's hometown of Skudneshavn, Norway.

Eric attended the University of Virginia, where he received a bachelor of sciences in aerospace engineering in 1972. He went on to obtain his master's degree in marine sciences at Louisiana State University in 1978. Eric had a lifelong love for his family and nature. He spent many of his early years working on ships at sea for his father, who was active in the Norwegian shipping industry. He was also a passionate political advocate and businessman. Eric spent most of his career working as a naval architect with Gibbs & Cox in Arlington, Virginia, where he resided for 43 years. He later became Vice President of the company and traveled extensively internationally in this role. He was known in his career as an accomplished, fair, and honest businessman. Eric was interested in different cultures and perspectives and maintained this open-mindedness his entire life. Eric has been described by many as "the kindest man I've ever known." Eric's focus was his family, and in particular his children and grandchildren. He is described by those who knew him well as gentle, curious, funny, and eager to experience the world around him. Eric touched everyone who met him and was an unforgettable influence in his children's, grandchildren's and nieces' lives. Eric was universally loved by family, friends, community members, and neighbors.

Even after his retirement, Eric remained active in the community and with his family. He was a leader with the Arlington Democrats and volunteered through much of his retirement at Long Branch Nature Center and was both a master's naturalist and certified reptile rehabilitator. Eric also valued his decades-long friendships and talked frequently about playing golf with Kenneth McDonald and his lunches over the years with Bill Rogalski, known affectionately to his children as Uncle Ken and Uncle Bill. Eric shared his love of life with anyone he met and was always there to give a smile or a warm hello to those passing through the nature center. Eric frequently mentioned how lucky he was to be so close with his grandchildren and was extremely proud of them. He also spent much time in his later years helping his son with building projects and playing with the family's golden retrievers. He made several special trips with family, including collecting trilobites in Utah and visiting the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone National Park. He is remembered fondly by those he met and will be missed dearly by those who loved him.

Funeral arrangements are being made at Murphy's funeral home, of Arlington, Virginia. Eric's desire for his ashes to be scattered in the sea is not only a tribute to his love of marine sciences and his upbringing in a Norwegian shipping family, but to the peace he felt in nature.