Douglas Hepburn VanMiddlesworth

Douglas Hepburn VanMiddlesworth, 81, of New Bern, NC passed away peacefully at home with family on August 5th, 2023.
Douglas was born on May 10, 1942, to Eleanor and Paul VanMiddlesworth in Clifton, New Jersey. Doug attended school in Centerville and Richmond and graduated from Richmond High School in 1960. He then received a B.A. from Indiana University in Bloomington 1968 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in Photo Intelligence. Following his service, he obtained his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from Indiana University School of Law (Indianapolis) in 1975.
After graduation he worked as a Deputy for the Attorney General in Indianapolis before moving back to Richmond, Indiana, where he worked part time as a Deputy Prosecutor while establishing his own law practice. In 1984 he was elected Circuit Court Judge in Wayne County and then was re-elected unopposed for three additional terms. He retired from the Court in 2005.
Douglas was married to Bernadette Perry Robatin. Together, they had five children, Michelle Leithliter (Andrew), Neal VanMiddlesworth (Aimee), Andrew Perry (Ashley), Ryan VanMiddlewsorth (Susan), Kyle VanMiddlesworth (Jenny Aron), and their bonus son, David Nemer from Brazil, South America, along with their twelve grandchildren.
In 2019 Douglas and Bernadette moved to New Bern, North Carolina to help care for their two youngest grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Bernadette, their five children, 12 grandchildren, plus, three brothers, Paul Alan (Nome) of San Marcos, CA; Gary (Diana) of Greencastle, IN; and Rex (Diane) of Austin, Texas.
Doug wore many hats. He was an Attorney, a Judge, a plumber, a roofer, a thespian, a prankster, a hermit, a curmudgeon, a mechanic, a Republican, an inventor, a problem solver, a fire starter, a chauffeur, an adventurer, and most importantly a maker of unforgettable memories for anyone who ever met him. His spirit lives on in his family who will do his memory proud with every bandana worn, every picture with bunny ears, every engine restored, every toilet fixed, every letter painstakingly crafted and every night spent around a campfire with people they love.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the Wayne County Courthouse in Circuit Court at 301 East Main Street in Richmond, Indiana 47374 on Friday August 25th from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm in recognition of his public service to the community.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Douglas' memory to Craven County Hospice, 2818 Neuse Blvd, New Bern, NC 28562.