Enumclaw resident Robert Dean Middleton died Aug. 15, 2012, at the age of 85.

He was born Feb. 19, 1927, in Peoria, Ill., to Dean and Ella Middle-ton. He enlisted in the Navy at the age of 17, serving as a pharmacist mate third class. While stationed at the Seattle Naval Hospital he met Jeanne Doran dance. Following his military dishcharge he returned to Peoria he enrolled in Bradley University and affiliated with Sigma Phi Fraternity. As soon as classes were over he returned to Seattle and married Jeanne on Sept. 4, 1947. In 1950, he graduated from Seattle College with a degree in elementary education and began a 30-year career with the Seattle Public Schools, retiring in 1980. In 1955 he earned a master’s degree in elementary administration from Seattle University and became an elementary school vice principal. He also worked at Seattle’s district offices as summer school coordinator. He and his wife had great success breeding and showing miniature poodles at American Kennel Club shows and were lifetime members of the Puget Sound Poodle Club. In the 1960s they began breeding and showing Arabian horses. In 1980 they purchased 30 acres in Enumclaw and started Midcrest Farm Arabians. He was a past president of the Daffodil Arabian Horse Association and the South District Lions Club. He also enjoyed gardening, traveling and pheasant hunting. He loved his bird dogs and attending horse and dog shows.

He is survived by daughters Lynne Balderson and husband Robert of Renton, Rebecca Serrano and husband Jacob of Covington, Kim Buttle and husband Dan of Woodinville, and Deborah Keeter and husband Stan of Enumclaw; sister Shirley Lane and husband John of Peoria, Ill; 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years Jeanne Middleton.

Remembrances may be made to the Wabash Presbyterian Church, 18325 S.E. 384th St., Auburn, Wash. 98092 or to the Seattle Retired Teachers Association Scholarship Fund.

Services were directed by Weeks’ Enumclaw Funeral Home. All may sign the online guest book at www.weeksfuneralhomes.com.