Dr. Robert Karl Middlekauff passed away peacefully on May 4, 2024, surrounded by the love of his family at the age of ninety-one. Bob is predeceased by his parents, Florence Virginia and Charles Joseph Middlekauff, his brother, Charles Raymond Middlekauff, and his son, Curtis Robert Middlekauff. He is survived by his devoted wife of sixty-nine years, Carol, three children: Sandy Skinner (Russell), Pam Pritchard (Frank), Jeff Middlekauff (Dina), eleven grandchildren: Russell Skinner (Simmons), Wade Skinner (Natalie), Jeff Skinner (Caroline), Caroline Skinner Bennett (Ben), Adams Pritchard (Sarah), Brooking Pritchard Metz (Patrick), Julie Middlekauff Bowness (Matthew), Robert Middlekauff (Jordan), Carlton Middlekauff DeLany (Jake), Bender Middlekauff (Tatum), Sam Middlekauff, and nineteen great-grandchildren.
Bob was born on March 8, 1933 and raised in Pitcairn, Pennsylvania, just outside of Pittsburgh. In high school, he held several student leadership positions. He lettered and was All-State in football and basketball, in addition to working at several part time jobs. At Eastern Michigan University, he served as Student Government President. He also played quarterback for the football team and was second in the nation for number of passes completed in 1952. He was selected as an All American Quarterback in 1954, and was inducted into the Eastern Michigan Hall of Fame. Bob was recruited by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears, Chicago Cardinals (now Arizona Cardinals) and the San Francisco 49ers, but he had his mind set on medical school.
Bob married his college sweetheart, Carol Ann Swan, and headed to Temple University Medical School in Philadelphia, where he was elected President of his medical school class. The Dean of Temple University once said, “Bob is the rare combination of athlete, scholar, and leader.”
He did his residency at the Bethesda Naval Hospital (now Walter Reid National Military Medical Center). Bob was the Chief Resident there when President John F. Kennedy was shot. He was called to the White House to care for President Lyndon B. Johnson’s family. Bob did additional training at Sloan Kettering Medical Center in New York City, and Kaiser Hospital in California, and was Director of Residency in Oakland, California at Oak Knoll Hospital.
After his medical training, Bob went into private practice in Jacksonville, Florida, specializing in Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery. He enjoyed privileges at St. Vincent’s, Baptist, Riverside, and Orange Park Hospitals. He was a member of the prestigious Otologic Society, was Chief of ENT at St. Vincent’s Hospital, and served as President of the Duval County Medial Society. He was also on the Gator Bowl Association Board, and was a member of the Rotary Club of Jacksonville for many years.
His favorite hobby was golf. Bob was a long time member of Timuquana Country Club, Ponte Vedra, Sawgrass, and the Florida Yacht Club. He was affectionately known as “Bullet” on the golf course, and joined the Hole-In-One Club five times! He was the Super Senior Champion at Timuquana in 2001.
When his children were young, Bob was a Sunday school teacher. But his strong faith in God developed while his son, Curt, battled cancer. Bob exemplified John 15:13, as he stood with Curt through it all. “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friend.”
Bob loved his family well. “Bob-o” tried to attend every sporting event that his grandchildren participated in, and he taught each one of them to play cards (Gin). Bob and Carol created many treasured memories at their beach home with their children, grandchildren, and friends. They were also fortunate to have traveled widely with family and dear friends. But most importantly, they gave their family a legacy of love that continues to grow.
The Middlekauff family would like to express deep gratitude to Bob’s very special caregivers: Fatu, Tammy, Lydia, Sandra, Kim, and Mary.
There will be a memorial service on Tuesday, May 21st at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, with visitation afterward. In lieu of flowers and in remembrance of Bob’s life, the family asks that charitable donations be made to: Bright Spot Foundation (providing scholarships for addiction recovery) 2900 Cahaba Road, Suite 100-A Birmingham, Alabama 35223, or St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 4129 Oxford Avenue Jacksonville, Florida 32210.
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