Robert Campbell

Robert Campbell

Robert Campbell Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers from Sep. 4 to Sep. 9, 2008.
CAMPBELL _ Robert W. October 22, 1922 - September 1, 2008 Robert W. Campbell of Calgary passed away on Monday, September 1, 2008 at the age of 85 years. While he made a mark in the petroleum industry as "Bob Campbell", he will be remembered as "R.W." by his children and "Papa" by his grandchildren. He had a passion for reading (detective and western stories in particular), weekends at his cabin in the country, watching Nebraska's Big Red and other college teams and spending time with his family. When he was not conducting high level deals in the boardroom he was attending sporting events of his children and later his grandchildren. He was not particularly handy around the house but was great at telling stories, sharing jokes, and supporting charitable organizations. Always just a phone call away, Bob would stay in touch with family and friends on a regular basis, beginning each conversation with "So, how's your weather." There was not a dish of Gummi Worms that he could walk by without taking a handful. Bob spent his childhood in Cherry County, Nebraska and graduated from Valentine High School in 1940. A small town boy who went on to do well in the big city. He attended Creighton University in Omaha and later enlisted in the Infantry in 1943, after Pearl Harbour. He retired with the rank of Captain in 1947 having served with the 101st Airborne Division in Europe and participating in the Rhineland Campaign in Holland and in the Ardennes Campaign in Belgium. Bob was wounded at Bastogne, Belgium on January 4, 1945 and spent two years in various hospitals. He received the Purple Heart with two clusters, the Bronze Star, the Presidential Unit Citation and the French Croix de Guerre. Bob graduated from Creighton University School of Law in 1950. He had a long and distinguished career in the oil business, beginning with Shell Oil Company in 1950. He held a series of executive positions with Home Oil Company Limited in Calgary, Canada and became chairman and chief executive officer of PanCanadian Petroleum Limited in 1971. He became vice chairman and chief executive officer of Canadian Pacific Enterprises Limited in 1982. Upon retirement in 1989 he held the position of chairman of Canadian Pacific Limited. He proudly served on several boards including AMCA International Limited, Canadian Pacific Limited, the Royal Bank of Canada, TransCanada Pipeline, and other Canadian mining and industrial concerns as well as the boards of the Bank of Canada (Canada's central bank), Westinghouse Corporation and Halliburton Company. He was inducted into the Canadian Petroleum Hall of Fame 2006. Robert is survived by his wife, Joanne L. Campbell, of Calgary; sons, Michael J. Campbell and wife, Ann, of Woodstock, NB, Timothy L. Campbell and wife, Jennifer, of Calgary, and Daniel J. Campbell and wife, Kristy, of Englewood, CO; daughters, Christa A. Campbell and husband, Paul Henriksen, of Lopez, WA, Carey M. O'Brien and husband, Finbarr of Calgary, and Jane L. Campbell of Calgary; sixteen grandchildren; one great-grandchild; sisters, Sister Connie M. Campbell, R.S.C.J. of Saratoga, CA, Sharon C. Melchior of Omaha, NE., Anne E. Marshall and husband Bob, of Omaha, NE; brother Richard L. Campbell, of Denver, CO; brother-in-law Robert Soener of Omaha, NE; and sister-in-law Joan Campbell of Lincoln, NE. Bob was predeceased by father Harry L. Campbell; mother Margaret G. Campbell; stepmother Vina M. Campbell; brother Harry E. Campbell; sisters, Sister Susan M. Campbell, R.S.C.J. and Marie K. Heth; and brother, John N. Campbell. Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers and Tributes at St. Anthony's Catholic Church (5340 - 4 Street S.W.) on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Anthony's Catholic Church (5340 - 4 Street S.W.) on Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com . If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to Calgary Health Trust - Department of Clinical Neuro-Sciences at the Foothills Medical Centre, Suite 800, 11012 Macleod Trail S.E., Calgary, AB T2J 6A5, (Telephone 403-943-0615, www.thetrust.ca ) or directly to the Inn from the Cold Society, Suite 104, 110 - 11 Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB T2G 0X5 (Telephone 403-263-8384, www.innnfromthecold.org ). In living memory of Robert Campbell, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: 403-243-8200.

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September 10, 2008

John and Gloria Drayton posted to the memorial.

September 10, 2008

Marlene Heaney posted to the memorial.

September 10, 2008

Christine Thurn posted to the memorial.

18 Entries

John and Gloria Drayton

September 10, 2008

Dear Joanne and Family. I am thinking of all the good times we have shared over the years from my first intrduction to Bob while working at Home Oil and the great friendship we formed over the years. The happy and sad times we shared but always you were there to give us love and support, walking the floor at the Holy Cross with John before the births of Terry. Mary Pat. Brendan and Barry Helping me accept the future that was very uncertain with Mary Pat but as usual you were my big "surrogate sister ready to help and give advice and help me over the many bumps in the road. I will be forever grateful. Bob remained always interested in what I was doing and also how Mary O'Sullivan was and if I heard from her. The Bishop's Annual Dinner that he hosted and kindly invited us to join you with Carey abd Barry, The first Singapore Sling that I ever had and the many fun time Barbeque's at the old house with Norma and Paul Dunn. These are wonderful memories. As our 50th Wedding Anniversary is Sept 20th I well remember Bob as he led my down the aisle at Sacred Heary Church I was very nervous he squeezed my arm and said "relax kid its going to be OK I will be thinking of him next week and sad that he will not here to celebrate with us. We will miss the drop-in visits we had and telling me about all the old Home Oil employee's. Our love and prayers to you during these difficult days and remember we are only a phone call away. as we say in Ireland until we meet again Bob May the Lord hold you in the palm of his hand

Marlene Heaney

September 10, 2008

Mr. Campbell was an officer and a gentleman. His passing has made this earth a sadder place for many of us. My prayers go out to the Campbell family at this very difficult time. May God bless.

Christine Thurn

September 10, 2008

Dear Campbells,
My heart goes out to you all.

When I first met R.W. I worked at PanCanadian on a floor quite a bit lower down in the building than his! When he stopped in on our floor, I was all thumbs and could barely talk - he seemed so intimidating!

But circumstances changed, and R.W. became a quiet, gracious influence on my life. I, too, have memories of Bogore and Bob's kindness in sharing his passion for his horses with me. I loved the sound of his deep, quiet voice as he spoke to his beautiful Arabian, Abu Dhabi. Those experiences are the root of my equestian involvements now and I'm grateful to all the Calgary Campbells for that.

I'm thinking about you all and keeping you in my prayers. Thank you for keeping me "in the loop," Joanne, so I could hope and cry with you along the way.

Love,

Steve Campbell

September 9, 2008

My uncle was perhaps the greatest human I'll ever know, I will miss him.
Some of the best times of my life were with uncle Bob and my cousins.

Everybody has a fond story to tell about times with Bob at his ranch,
But I had an extraordinary experience as a young boy when Uncle Bob
let me take the wheel of his beautiful airplane in mid flight.
I could never get over how kind and generous Bob always was.

Once Bob volunteered to drive my motor home to pick us up at the end
of the Campbell Reunion Niobrara float trip in Valentine, Nebraska.
We knew something happened when Bob nervously walked back on foot.
He said "There was a problem the hotel marquee and my motor home"
But he said "Don't worry, I tracked down the town furnace guy, and he
put new sheet metal where the roof of your motorhome used to be, and
when you get back home I will wire you whatever you need to replace it"

We all just had to laugh, it was so hysterical. Mary, the motel owner,
was sure us kids would destroy the place someday, but Bob beat us to it.

Bob was a keen businessman, but more so, a jovial spirit we all so loved.

I give my Condolences to all my cousins "The Calgary Campbells."
.

Michelle Goshinmon

September 9, 2008

My heartfelt condolences and prayers go out to the entire Campbell family. I had the great pleasure of being Mr. Campbell's assistant here at the office for the past 6 years and I do consider myself incredibly fortunate to have had a mentor such as this amazing gentleman.

I learned more about the "human touch" in business and in my daily living from Mr. Campbell and for that I am thankful. His "whistle while he walks down the hall" his quick wit and ready smile will be missed by many here at "The Office".

Laura Scott

September 8, 2008

I want to send my thoughts and prayers to all of you and tell you how sorry I am for your loss. When I think of Unlce Bob I think of cherries (he seemed to eat a lot of them), the ranch, and the horses. I was only 10 years old when I was at the Ranch but that memory is still vivid in my mind. What a beautiful place, and how exciting it was to ride one of his horses. Tim swatted my horse and it took off running and I will never forget that thrill (I was suppposed to walk the horse....Tim!). I have also enjoyed all the incredible stories Uncle Bob would tell my parents and I would hear second hand. What a life he had. He will be missed. By the way my brother John wrote about the bending spoon trick Uncle Bob taught him. We just showed that to our son, Sam the other day. So I guess you could say Uncle Bob will continue to be a part of our lives.

Anne Marshall

September 8, 2008

Bob was very special to me. He was my brother but in many ways like my Dad because of our age difference. Since I was a little girl, I always looked forward to his visits. We shared the same love of Cherry County NE. and the beautiful Sandhills. He was a very loving brother and I will always treasure our times together.
Anne Campbell Marshall

John Marshall

September 8, 2008

Uncle Bob will be greatly missed. He always had such a great sense of humor. I remember how he taught me a spoon bending trick. It always got a laugh and I still do it to this day! Once though, we were all out to eat and Uncle Bob really bent the spoon...it cracked us up! We will miss you greatly, Uncle Bob. Peace and love be with you all. John, Dede and Hank Marshall

Mary-Beth Knight (Speedie)

September 6, 2008

What a sad day for your family.I am so sorry to hear about his passing. I have fond memories of "Mr. Campbell" from my frequent invitations to the country with Christa in our youth. I know he will be missed.

Eleanor Gechter (McIntyre)

September 6, 2008

My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this difficult time.

Bob Jones

September 6, 2008

I never met Mr Campbell,felt I knew him through my brother Harry Jones,Ft Collins,CO who related many great stories concerning Bob.Know he will be missed.Our prayers and sympathy to Family.

Harry Jones

September 6, 2008

We will miss Bob! What a grand gentleman! Our prayers and condolences to the entire Campbell family.

The Harry H. Jones Family

John Weissenberger

September 5, 2008

Sincere condolences to the whole Campbell family at the passing of this member of the "Greatest Generation". I had the good fortune of meeting Mr. Campbell while working at PanCanadian in the 1990's. He loved to share stories about WWII and chat about politics, religion and other interesting topics. He was a very genuine and generous person. He bought me lunch many times at the Palliser hotel, where the whole staff knew him and would stop to say “hello”. Today’s executives could learn a lot from him. He cared about people and saw the big and little picture. I was very fortunate to have known him.

Bill Fead

September 5, 2008

Thanks for your Military Service.
Past Commander V.F.W.

Kori Gregory

September 4, 2008

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.
Kori Gregory & Family

Don Hewitt

September 4, 2008

I knew him as "Mr. Campbell" when i worked at PanCanadian. Although he was retired at that time he maintained an office on our floor, and we would see him two or three times a week. He was a gracious, gentle man whose very presence commanded great respect.
Please accept my sincere condolences.

Noreen Chambers

September 4, 2008

T0 the family of Bob Campbell with sympathy from members of the Home Oil Club - Old Homers.

Bob Marshall, Jr.

September 4, 2008

Uncle Bob will be greatly missed. Great family man, Great businessman and Great patriot.

A mass was said for Uncle Bob on 4 September by the Monks at Mount Michael Benedictine Abbey in Elkhorn, Nebraska.

Tammy and I send our condolences

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September 10, 2008

John and Gloria Drayton posted to the memorial.

September 10, 2008

Marlene Heaney posted to the memorial.

September 10, 2008

Christine Thurn posted to the memorial.