RI H7108

Rhode Island House of Representatives expresses condolences on the passing of J. William Middendorf II, former U.S. Ambassador and World War II Navy veteran who was married to Isabelle Jackson Paine for 63 years

Middendorf served as U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands (1969-1973), Secretary of the Navy during the Ford administration (securing a 60% Navy budget increase), and U.S. Representative to the Organization of American States and European Community under President Reagan

Graduated from College of the Holy Cross with a Naval Science degree, later earned a B.A. from Harvard (1947) and MBA from NYU Stern School of Business, then founded Middendorf, Colgate and Company investment bank

Served as Treasurer of the Republican National Committee (1965-1969) and worked on Barry Goldwater's 1964 presidential campaign

Secretary of State directed to transmit certified copies of the resolution to his surviving children: Frances Middendorf, Dr. Amy Givler, and Ralph Middendorf