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. He attended school in Centerville and Richmond Indiana graduating from RHS in 1960. He received a B.A. from Indiana University and then enlisted in the U.S. Navy serving in Photo Intelligence. He obtained his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from Indiana University School of Law in 1975. After graduation, he worked for the Attorney General in Indianapolis before moving back to Richmond, 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 re-elected unopposed for three additional terms. He retired from the Court in 2005.
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: Michelle Leithliter (Andrew) of Lafayette, IN, Neal VanMiddlesworth (Aimee) of Richmond, IN, Andrew Perry (Ashley) of Lafayette, IN, Ryan VanMiddlesworth (Susan) of Charleston, SC, Kyle VanMiddlesworth (Jenny Aron) of New Bern, NC, and their bonus son, David Nemer from Brazil, South America, along with their twelve grandchildren and Doug's 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 a Husband, a Father, an Attorney, a Judge, a plumber, a roofer, a thespian, a prankster, a hermit, a Republican, an inventor & problem solver, 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 toilet fixed, every letter painstakingly crafted and every night spent around a campfire with people they love.
The Wayne County Bar Association will hold a Bar Memorial in the Wayne County Courthouse in Circuit Court at 301 East Main Street in Richmond, Indiana 47374 on Friday, August 25th at 2:00 PM in recognition of Judge VanMiddlesworth's judicial service to the Bar and to the community. Following the Bar Memorial, there will be a Celebration of Life from 4 - 7 PM at 1118 Lancashire Drive in Richmond for family and close friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Douglas' memory to Craven County Hospice, 2818 Neuse Blvd, New Bern, NC 28562.