Obituary: CAMPBELL, ROBERT

Robert Franklin Campbell1922 ~ 2013Robert Franklin Campbell was born on March 28, 1922 in Hollister, Missouri to Robert Granville and Frances Huckstep Campbell. He lived through the Great Depression as a youth, and it shaped his future. The family was living in Southern California in December of 1941, when Pearl Harbor was bombed, leading the USA into World War II. Very shortly thereafter, Bob Campbell joined the US Navy and served as a Civil Engineering Corp Officer, assigned to the US Navy Seabees. He was on assignment in the Manila area of the Philippine Islands, when the US Air Force dropped the two atomic bombs on Japan, ending World War II.Bob was a Professional Engineer, earning a BSCE from the University of Texas, in June of 1947. In December of that year he married Royce June Emerson in Houston, Texas. Together they had three children: Robert Franklin Campbell, Jr, Dewain Emerson Campbell and Linda Lea Campbell. Bob and June ultimately had fourteen grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren, with still more to come. Bob started his professional life as an engineer working primarily in California and Utah. He was instrumental in many innovations during his career, the most significant being the President of the company that developed the Jetway. The Jetway is the telescoping tunnel device which revolutionized how passengers enter and exit aircraft.He founded in 1976 Camco Construction Co., Inc with his sons: Bob Jr. and Dewain. In 1979, Robert Sr. "stepped aside" and his two sons took over Camco Construction, which eventually became a significant construction company, operating primarily in the western half of the United States. In retirement, Bob enjoyed hiking and exploring the western US, as well as playing the occasional golf game. He also enjoyed fly fishing the streams and rivers of Northern Utah, primarily the upper Provo River in the Uintah Mountain area. Conveniently, the family maintained a summer home on the upper Provo River, which Bob hand built. In his later years of retirement he enjoyed writing computer software. He wrote some structural engineering software and stock market analysis tracking software, as well as other software, for his personal amusement.Bob was a member of Chi Epsilon (National Honorary Civil Engineering Society), American Society of Civil Engineers, Structural Engineers Association of Utah, Color Country Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America, and an associate member of the Structural Engineers Association of Southern California. He was a patriot and deeply enjoyed being an American, and remembered fondly his service for his country during WWII. Also in retirement, Campbell worked at various volunteer assignments in the St. George Utah area, such as the local hospital, and the Chamber of Commerce, among other assignments. Bob Campbell joined the LDS Church later in life and held a Temple Recommend. He often said that he enjoyed living in Utah's Dixie (Washington County, Utah), because of the nice people living there, and the beautiful scenery. Bob Campbell is preceded in death by 3 of his 4 siblings, with one sister Hilda Howell remaining. Although divorced, he leaves behind the love of his life: June Emerson Campbell, as well as his 3 children, 14 grand children and 15 great grand children. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at the LDS Chapel located at 1950 N. Coral Canyon Blvd. Friends may call Wednesday from 10:00-10:45 a.m. prior to services at the chapel. Graveside services will be held Thursday, September 19, at 1:00 p.m. at the Utah Veterans Cemetery & Memorial Park, 17111 South Camp Williams Road, Bluffdale, Utah.Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, (435) 673-2454. Friends and family are invited to sign Bob's guestbook at www.spilsburymortuary.com.