Richard "Dick" Middendorf Obituary

Richard (Dick) T. Middendorf, age 105, of Burr Ridge passed away peacefully on December 29, 2021, with his children by his side.

Born in Covington, Kentucky on November 28, 1916, Richard attended Covington Catholic High School and later graduated with a degree in Accounting from Xavier University in 1939.  Covington Catholic High recently commemorated Richard as its “oldest living alumnus” and he received over 100 personal notes from current students.

In 1940, Richard followed his true love Charlotte Martin, also from Covington, to the Chicago area. They married at Mother of God Church in Covington and returned to live in the Chicago area where they were blessed with 68 years of marriage.

Richard worked for 40 years at Victor Comptometer Corporation in Chicago, which was for decades the leading designer and manufacturer of adding machines and calculators in the U.S. During World War II, Victor was the manufacturer of the top secret Norden bombsight. Its accuracy was critical in helping to shut down the Axis war machine and spare civilian areas during the Allied bombing campaigns. Richard was the trusted assistant and advisor to Victor's President and CEO.

After raising their family in La Grange and St. Francis Xavier Parish, Richard and Charlotte spent a long and blissful retirement, enjoying their large family, winters in Florida, golfing, playing bridge and Scrabble, and occasional travel.  Richard did pro bono tax work and provided financial advisory services for many years. With Charlotte, he was among the first residents of Bethlehem Woods in La Grange Park, where he attended daily Mass, served on the Board, and stayed for 29 years.

He spent his last 2 ½ years at King-Bruwaert House in Burr Ridge where he frequently expressed his appreciation for a warm and caring environment.

Richard was known as a wise and loving father and role model. He enjoyed and appreciated music, especially the standards of the 1930s and 1940s. He loved driving a carload of family for summer vacations to Kentucky or Door County, encouraging sing-a-longs and laughter along the way. Richard's secret to a long life was his grateful heart.

Richard, like Charlotte, participated for nearly two decades in the Rush Memory and Aging Project, involving annual testing and organ donation at the time of death.

Richard is survived by his six children: Sister Terry Middendorf CSJ, Nancy Gibbons, Joan Thoms, Jim (Peg) Middendorf, Tom (Alisa) Middendorf, and Mark (Laurie) Middendorf; and his fifteen grandchildren: Ryan (Gina) Gibbons, Drew Gibbons, Cristie Loza, Rachel (Kevin) Malone, Emily Thoms, Graham Thoms, Todd (Sarah) Middendorf, Kara (Phil) Hamstra, David (Sheena) Middendorf, Katelyn Middendorf, Megan (Ian) Rissman, Kyle Middendorf, Jaymie (Adam Cadmus) Middendorf, Dana Middendorf, and Doug Middendorf; and also by sixteen great grandchildren.

Richard was preceded in death by his wife Charlotte, his parents George and Hattie, and siblings Reverend Frederic S.J., Herbert, Donald, Esther Carroll, George, and Ruth Thorburn, as well as his sons-in-law Tom Gibbons and John Thoms.

A private family service will take place at the Alexine Chapel in La Grange Park.  Interment will take place at Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery in Hillside. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Nazareth Academy, 1209 W. Ogden Avenue, La Grange Park, IL 60526.