A humble man, a global citizen: remembering Leigh Middleditch

In reflecting on the resounding legacy of Leigh B. Middleditch, Jr., one might assume his unparalleled focus on the Presidential Precinct, and in particular, the well-being of our alumni. Leigh’s commitment to and belief in our program participants was certainly unwavering; but in some superhuman way, he was known for that same focus and commitment with countless organizations in Charlottesville and around the world, working for social and political good.

Leigh passed away earlier this month after battling a fast moving brain tumor. He was 92 years old – a 1951 graduate of the University of Virginia College of Arts & Sciences, and a 1957 graduate of the University of Virginia Law School. Among many other roles, Leigh was a committed partner at McGuireWoods law firm for decades.

Leigh’s multi-faceted support of the Precinct included many impromptu visits to our offices, papers and research in hand that might better inform our program proposals. He served as a trustee for the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, overseeing the growth and trajectory of our partner site James Madison’s Montpelier and Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, and was an Emeritus Board Member of the Montpelier Foundation. With his wife Betty Lou, Leigh hosted many groups of Mandela Washington Fellows in his home for dinner. He was also a regular attender of events like the Africa Ideas Summit, eager to hear Fellows’ ideas for encouraging more civic engagement and developing democratic institutions.

Rumbidzai Dube, Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumna, met Leigh during her 2014 Fellowship and had dinner at the Middleditch home. Even as the Precinct continued to welcome over 100 Fellows in subsequent years, Leigh stayed in persistent collaboration with Rumbidzai. She recently noted:

“He quickly bought into the idea I had of setting up the Law Hub in Zimbabwe as an online portal for distributing legal information, with an understating that citizens’ access to legal information in simplified forms was a key aspect of access to justice. I am sad he won’t get to see some of the work we have done with the grant he gave us, but that’s his legacy. He invested quietly in ideas he believed in and had no desire to be publicly acknowledged.”

Most consistently remembered of Leigh was his quiet demeanor. He sought no spotlight or recognition. Through direct funding or just an encouraging word, Leigh endeavored to help others succeed in their convictions.

“In his long and astonishingly productive life, he was uniquely humble”, said Francois Baird, Presidential Precinct Board member. “It was a true humility, borne of his nature and his natural talent for service leadership. Leigh had an obvious appreciation that so much more could be achieved if no-one cared who got the credit.”

Dzikamai Bere, Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumnus and recipient of the Precinct’s 2019 Young Leader Award, reflected:

“He was a great human being, a caring father and an active citizen. He taught me what it means to be a citizen – he was available for everyone. He was a humble man, a global citizen who loved beyond his own village. I am blessed to have met Leigh.”

Leigh’s ability to support young African leaders in their own civic engagement rested on an established foundation of friendships and earned respect throughout the state of Virginia. Presidential Precinct Founder, James B. Murray, Jr., was a friend of Leigh’s for over sixty years.

“I knew Leigh as a lawyer, a UVA Board member, a quiet community activist, one of the Precinct’s earliest supporters and one of the most public spirited citizens of Central Virginia since Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe. Leigh was ramrod straight – always focused on outcomes and never worried about who got the credit or what political party gained or lost. He leaves behind a huge vacuum in our civic polity.”

Stewart Gamage, a Presidential Precinct Board member also known for her tireless support of our program alumni, described Leigh as “Clear-eyed about the challenges facing this country; devoted to the Constitution; and eager to support the next generation of public servants.”

Leigh was among the best of the best voices putting wind in the sails of the Presidential Precinct. His presence and impact will be sorely missed; and yet his passion continues to motivate us in our mission and vision. From Neal Piper, Executive Director of the Presidential Precinct:

“I met Leigh shortly after moving to Charlottesville 8 years ago. We immediately hit it off and spent time together over lunch every few months. Our last lunch together was in July 2021 at Farmington. Following lunch, he snuck us back to the kitchen to get a cookie fresh out of the oven. On our walk back to the car, he asked me about my five year old son who recently recovered from a brain tumor. We made plans to get together with the family soon, however we weren’t able to deliver on those plans. I am grateful for our many conversations and for the lasting impact he made on leaders around the world through his involvement in the Presidential Precinct.” 

As a trustee of the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation, Leigh helped the Presidential Precinct secure consistent funding to advance our mission. Thanks to Leigh’s leadership, the Presidential Precinct conducted a 2020 needs assessment in Zimbabwe that has been a critical tool for shaping a timely new program designed to strengthen the human rights sector. In the words of Francois Baird, “The works of great artists transcend their time and medium. So will the work of Leigh Middleditch, who was an artist beyond compare of living good and doing well.”