Robert M. Middleton

Robert M. Middleton, age 68, of Raleigh passed away Wednesday, March 29, 2017 at his home. Born on October 14, 1948 in Orlando, FL, he was the son of the late Darrell Middleton and Helen Kirkpatrick Middleton. Robert was a resident of Raleigh for thirty-five years and a well-regarded cabinet designer. Prior to moving to the Raleigh area he was a skilled custom homebuilder and furniture craftsman in the mountains of North Carolina and surrounding areas. He was a graduate of St. Andrews College in Laurinburg, NC and attended Appalachian State University in Boone, NC where he studied Industrial Arts and Design. Robert was known for his storytelling skills and was always primed to give advice to others.  He was a family historian and genealogy expert.  He was known for his long-winded storytelling, much of which included ‘witty Dad jokes’.  He had an appreciation for design, poetry and literature.  Above all, he valued his time with his human and canine family members and was a true friend to many.  His ability to bring out beauty in all of his work was reflected in all of his endeavors and personal relationships. His artistic legacy lives on in the many homes he built and restored across North Carolina. Left to cherish his memories are his wife Lisa Penninger Middleton of Raleigh, his children; Jennifer Boulton and husband, Jamie of Thousand Oaks, CA, Catherine Ruffin of Raleigh, NC, Laura Middleton of Asheville, NC, John Middleton and wife, Mallory of Raleigh, NC; his mother; Helen Kirkpatrick Middleton of Laurinburg, NC; his brothers; Worth Middleton of Oklahoma City, OK, and John Middleton and wife, Sondra of Morganton, NC; and his grandchildren; Milo, Eden, Isaiah, Micah, and Sawyer. The family will meet and greet guests on Saturday, April 1, 2017 beginning at 4:00 pm with an opportunity to share memories and stories at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, 831 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, NC 27604.