Robert “Bob/Bobby”
Campbell

June 24, 1941 – Aug. 11, 2015

Pioneer Homer resident Robert “Bob/Bobby” Campbell, 74, died from throat cancer on Aug. 11, 2015, at Hospice House in Spokane, Wash., surrounded by his family. A celebration of life was held in Spokane, Wash., on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2015. As he wished, his ashes will be taken back to his childhood home in Homer next spring.

Bob was born in Denver, Colo., on June 24, 1941, and moved to Homer, Alaska in the fall of 1943 with his mother and two sisters to join his father who was working for the Civil Aeronautics Authority. He attended the Homer Territorial School until joining the U.S. Navy, serving from 1959 to 1963.

After his Navy service, he returned to Homer and married Barbara Tyrer in 1967. In 1968, they moved to Soldotna where their son Adam “Addy” was born. Barb and Bob divorced in 1983.

Bob worked in construction as a heavy equipment operator helping to build highways all over Alaska. He also worked on the North Slope during construction of the Alaskan Pipeline. 

He was heavily involved in the Elk’s Lodge in Kenai. He quickly rose to the position of District Deputy where he was instrumental in the organization and formation of a new lodge in his residing town of Soldotna. His title gave him the honor of being the first registered member of the Soldotna Lodge.

In 1991, he moved to Spokane, Wash., where most of his family was living. After working different construction jobs in Washington, he retired at age 62 with more than 45 years in the Operating Engineer’s Union. During his retirement, he pursued an interest in real estate investing and property renovations. At the time of his death, he was enjoying his 5-acre home in Medical Lake, Wash., that he had worked on since 2006.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Frank and Mildred Campbell, and sister, Edith “Bunny” Campbell (James).

He is survived by his son, Adam; grandson, Alex; sister, Margaret “Punky” Campbell (Woodard); and many nieces and nephews.