How Rick Middleton's Life Sang for the Lord, and We Should Do Likewise

Even though it may come off as trite to profess it: the ultimate scope of the impact of one’s life is often reflected in how he or she is regarded immediately after he or she has passed. On September 21, 2017, the world lost Richard Middleton, a local Catholic legend within the Archdiocese of Washington and his native Archdiocese of Baltimore, at the age of sixty-nine. Rick succumbed to the effects of cancer after having battled it valiantly for a number of years. He was laid to rest on October 5 following a beautiful funeral Mass officiated by Fr. Patrick Smith at Saint Augustine Catholic Church in northwest Washington, DC. If you made your way around the Catholic ministries offered throughout the Washington/Baltimore area over the last fifty plus years, you probably crossed paths with Rick at some point. It was at Saint Augustine’s where Rick sang in the choir for over three decades – a point that I will address imminently.

Rick was a dear friend and mentor to multitudes, and whether or not you were a blood relative, he made you feel as if you were an integral member of his extended family. I had the honor and the privilege of knowing Rick (then “Mr. Middleton”) first as a student at Bishop McNamara High School in Forestville, Maryland (1996-2000), and then as a colleague from when I began teaching there in 2006 until his retirement in 2013. Prior to coming to McNamara in 1989, where he tirelessly served at various junctures as a dean, assistant principal, guidance counselor, classroom teacher, club moderator, coach, and manifold permutations thereof, Rick had already served the Church – especially within the realm of Catholic education – in numerous capacities. Rick proverbially burned the candle at both ends, yet managed to keep his flame lit.

One of Rick’s favorite ministries was his singing. In addition to his propensity to care deeply for his students’ and colleagues’ well-being, Rick gave of his time by sharing his talent for singing. Although humble, Rick made every aspect of his too-short life a sort of “song” for the Lord, even when he was not singing in the choir per se at Saint Augustine’s. Rick was one of those people who made a positive impact on everyone whom he encountered by way of sharing his Christian joy with them. In effect, Rick lived according to Psalm 96:1-6: “Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless his name; proclaim his salvation day after day, tell his glory among the nations; among all peoples, his marvelous deeds. For great is the Lord and highly to be praised, to be feared above all gods, for the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and power go before him; power and grandeur are in his holy place.” Rick’s profound Catholic faith was a melodious song that reverberated in his charitable actions and pious selflessness.

Rick remains an inspiration to us all – seemingly whether or not you ever even got to know him personally on this side of eternity. We would do well to follow his example of fashioning our lives into a song of service to the Lord, by serving his Church and thereby building up the kingdom of God subsequently. Whether or not you are a member of the Bishop McNamara High School community, if you are so moved, you can contribute to the Richard “Rick” Middleton Project PRIDE Scholarship Fund (and likewise learn more about McNamara’s unique “Project PRIDE” program, which “seeks to establish and maintain a standard of excellence whereby each student in the program benefits from learning in an environment incorporated with support, concern, specialized attention, and individualized goal setting”). May Rick Middleton continue to enthuse us, particularly those of us in Catholic education, as we strive to ensure that our words are reflected in our deeds (recalling Matthew 7:21-23, for instance). Requiescat in pace, Richard Middleton.