Robert Harold Middlebrooks

It is with sad hearts that we announce the passing of Bob Middlebrooks, 84. On April 10, 2015. He joined the Navy in 1948 as a Seaman Apprentice and retired in 1978 as a Lieutenant Commander. He served in Asia and Europe during the cleanup from WWII and during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He received the Navy Achievement Medal w/Combat V & Gold Star; Combat Action Ribbon; Navy unit Commendation w/1 Bronze Star; Meritorious Unit Commendation; Navy Commendation Medal; Navy Good Conduct Medal w/4 Bronze Stars; Navy Occupation Service Medal w/”Asia” & “Europe” clasps; Nation Defense Service Medal w/ 1 Bronze Star; Korean Service Medal w/5 Bronze Stars; United Nations Service Medal; Vietnam Service medal w/2 Bronze Stars; Korean Presidential Unit Citation w/clasp; Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/ Bronze Palm and Vietnam Campaign. After his military retirement, he headed the NCEL/NFESC contracting office until 1998, at which time he received the Meritorious Civilian Service Award. Bob played basketball, football, and baseball in High School and was drafted by the Giants as a Baseball Catcher. The Navy came first, however, so he used his talents to play on the all Navy Baseball team. He shared his knowledge of the sport by coaching his sons/stepsons Little League and Pony/Colt baseball Teams. When they played baseball/ football in High School and College you would always find him cheering them on during their games. He loved sports, hunting, fishing and growing vegetables and fruit in his gardens. He leaves behind his wife Sally, his Brother Joe, his sister Patricia Arrigo, his sons Joey and Mark and his daughters Karen Giaquinta, and Karla Clark. He also leaves behind his stepsons John and Adam Fleener, Jerry and Paul Boat as well as his grandchildren Anthony, Lynnae,Brooke, Grant, Shannon, Johnny, Stephanie, Kevin, Ryan, Todd, Bridget, Selma, Cassandra, Alex, Eli, Lacey, Blaine, Randalyn, and numerous great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter Pamela Mac Donald and his parents Jewell and Robert. A full Military Burial is scheduled to be held in San Diego, California in the near future.