Bobby Campsen

Bobby Ray Campsen VIRGINIA BEACH - Bobby Ray Campsen, 79, of the 900 block of Fleet Drive, Virginia Beach, passed away in Sentara Leigh Hospital June 30, 2009. He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy. He joined when he was 16 and enjoyed a long and fulfilling 30-year career. He retired as a master chief personnelman (PNCM) stationed at EPDOLANT, Norfolk. Throughout his career, he received numerous commendations, awards and medals for his dedicated service. He served as a plank holder on the USS John F. Kennedy. Following retirement, he began a second career as a military personnel management specialist with CINCLANTFLT in Norfolk, and retired after 20 years. To put it simply, he loved the Navy. Bobby was a master at everything. If he didn't know how to do something, he taught himself. He repaired cars, mastered every home project he tackled, and even built go-carts and intricate kites for his children when living in Maine and Rhode Island. He later developed a keen interest in woodcarving and carved many beautiful and intricate ducks which are cherished by his family. He possessed a work ethic and tenacity that was unparalleled and was passed on to his children and grandchildren. He suffered with adult onset diabetes for many years which resulted in many medical complications including a particularly vicious form of dementia called Lewy Bodies, but he fought them all with his well-known tenacity and his physicians often marveled at his strength and strong will. In spite of his many medical problems, he always looked "like a million bucks" as his family would often say. Bobby was a loving and caring man who never complained. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 59 years, Dorothy M. Campsen in Virginia Beach, and two children: son, Paul K. Campsen, Esquire and wife Dr. Caramine White of Norfolk and his daughter, Arlene T. Campsen, retired special agent, IRS-CI, of Virginia Beach. He is also survived by his two grandsons, P. Jeffrey Campsen, M.D. and wife Sarah (M.D.) of Denver, and Marc A. Campsen, Esquire and wife Kelly of Baltimore; great-grandsons, Jackson L. Campsen and Baker R. Campsen of Denver. Bobby was dearly loved by his family and will be deeply missed. Bobby was predeceased by his parents, Alphonso H. and Ida Mae Campsen of Spartanburg, S.C., and five siblings. He is survived by siblings, Betty Campsen Teague of Spartanburg, Judy Campsen Ridings of Green Creek, N.C., and the Rev. Alphonso H. Campsen Jr. of Winslow, Ariz. Family visitation and viewing will be held at H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Laskin Road Chapel, Sunday, July 5, between 5 to 7 p.m. A graveside service with full military honors will be conducted Monday, July 6, at 1:15 p.m. at the Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, Suffolk, by the Rev. Alphonso H. Campsen Jr. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the Alzheimer's Association. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.hdoliver.com.