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Middlebrook builds award-winning career
Robert Middlebrook grew up in New Carlisle, raised by his mother in an apartment downtown that also doubled as her salon. He went to New Carlisle High School and graduated in May 1967.
Shortly after, in July, Middlebrook enlisted in the army. After he completed basic training, he was shipped off to Fort Sam in Houston, Texas to be trained as a combat medic. Once he was a medic school graduate, he attended Fort Sam Houston’s Medical Field Service School and trained as a surgical technician.
Middlebrook applied his knowledge when he served with the 18th Surgical MUST Unit, a mobile surgical unit, in September 1968 during the Vietnam war. Middlebrook extended his tour by six months and served with the 8th Field Hospital.
Middlebrook’s entire enlistment lasted two years and nine months.
Once back in the States, Middlebrook took a job as a surgical technician at the Osteopathic Hospital in South Bend. However, his career here was cut short because of creative differences over his mustache.
“I quit that job because the Chief Nurse at that time insisted I shave my mustache off, claiming I looked like a walrus,” Middlebrook explained.
After his departure from the Osteopathic Hospital, Middlebrook took a similar job at the Saint Joseph Hospital in Mishawaka.
Following the birth of his second son, Middlebrook joined the New Carlisle Volunteer Fire Department.
"What inspired me to join the
