It is with deep sadness that GAWDA Announces the passing of past GAWDA President Frank Middleton. Frank served as NWSA President in 1988-89. He passed away on February 22, 2025. Frank is survived by his loving wife, Mary, who relayed to GAWDA how much Frank cherished his time as NWSA President.
Former GAWDA President Jack Butler fondly remembered Frank as being a change agent within the association.
“Frank was from the Great Generation but his attitude and demeanor were more like the Baby Boomers that would follow him as President. He was a fun-loving California-guy, one of the first Presidents from California. He was not ego-driven at all. In fact, though he owned Middleton Welding Supply, he didn’t serve as the President of the company. He let his employees be the forward-facing faces of the company. But even though he had a relaxed, Calfornia demeanor, he was still a tenacious business man. And he loved this industry, even naming his daughter Linde after the Linde devision of Union Carbide.”
Jack concluded by recounting the poem that Frank shared with the executive committee during his year as President. It is called “If I had My Life to Live Over” by Nadine Stair.
If I had my life to live over, I’d dare to make more mistakes next time. I’d relax, I would limber up. I would be sillier than I have been this trip. I would take fewer things seriously. I would take more chances. I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers. I would eat more ice cream and less beans. I would perhaps have more actual troubles, but I’d have fewer imaginary ones.
You see, I’m one of those people who lived sensibly and sanely, hour after hour, day after day. Oh, I’ve had my moments, and if I had to do it over again, I’d have more of them. In fact, I’d try to have nothing else. Just moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day. I’ve been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat and a parachute. If I had to do it again, I would travel lighter than I have.
If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I would go to more dances. I would ride more merry-go-rounds. I would pick more daisies.
Frank’s memory will be celebrated during the 2025 GAWDA Spring Management Conference in Dallas as part of the “Since We Last Met” video, which commemorates GAWDA friends that we’ve lost during the year. We extend our sincerest condolences to those who knew and remembered Frank.
