E. Wilson Campbell

Campbell, E. Wilson CLIFTON PARK E. Wilson Campbell, age 82, entered into eternal life on December 7, 2007 after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. Wilson was born in Charleston, W.Va. on October 31, 1925 to Gertrude and Earl Campbell. He earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from West Virginia University and a master's degree in traffic engineering from Yale University. He married Patricia Ann Bollinger in November 1950. Wilson will be remembered as a pioneer in transportation methodologies, a compassionate leader, an environmental enthusiast, a man of faith and a loving husband, father and grandfather. Wilson's career started in World War II, where he served as a US Navy pilot, later retiring from the service as a commander. Wilson then embarked on a long and distinguished career in traffic engineering. He was traffic manager for the West Virginia State Road Commission, then he became the chief traffic engineer of the Detroit Area Traffic Study. He served as chief traffic engineer, assistant director and then director of the Chicago Area Transportation Study. The Detroit and Chicago studies are widely credited as pioneering ventures that developed basic transportation planning methods that are widely used today. Wilson then served as director of transportation planning for the NYS Department of Transportation for 14 years. He was the assistant commissioner for transportation planning and development for three years and, for three years, Wilson was staff director for the governor's roadway improvement committee. After retirement, Wilson worked for the Lake George Park Commission. Later, he was appointed a Lake George park commissioner by Governor Pataki. He developed rules and regulations to manage stormwater runoff in the Lake George Basin to protect and preserve the lake which he loved so much. An active member of Emmanuel Baptist Church for 37 years, Wilson served as a trustee and chaired the finance committee, was a member of the choir, faithfully taught the junior Sunday School class and was a volunteer for the Focus breakfast program for 20 years. Wilson loved his companion dog, Teka, a registered therapy dog. Together, they often visited area nursing homes and children at Lake Luzerne's Double H Hole in the Woods Camp. Wilson is survived by his wife Pat of 57 years; his son, Steve Campbell and his wife Lynne of Albany, N.Y.; his daughters, Sue Mellyn of Tulsa, Okla. and Linda Campbell of Albany, N.Y.; and his grandchildren, Kevin Mellyn, Erin and Kipp Campbell; his stepmother, Evelyn Campbell of Saint Petersburg, Fla.; his brother, the Rev. Ray Hill of Kennebunk, Maine; and his sister, Dr. Connie Conrad of Atlanta, Ga.; and Mrs. Beulah Reed of Cardington, Ohio. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 275 State Street, Albany on Saturday, December 15 at 2 p.m. Interment will be in the Saratoga National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Wilson's name to Emmanuel Baptist Church, 275 State St., Albany, NY 12210. Arrangements by the Catricala Funeral Home, Inc., 1597 Rte. 9, Clifton Park, N.Y. 12065.