Robert Campbell

Robert J. Campbell VIRGINIA BEACH - Retired Lt. Col. Robert J. Campbell, Vietnam veteran and former director of the Eastern Regional Crime Lab, died Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009, in Virginia Beach. He was 80. The cause was heart-related complications. Mr. Campbell spent 22 years with the U.S. Army during which time he received many honors. During his service he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Air medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal and others. Mr. Campbell was born July 22, 1929, in Pittsburgh. He attended West Virginia University and graduated with a master's degree in chemistry in 1955. That same year, he joined the U.S. Army serving as a chemical officer. When Mr. Campbell retired in July of 1977, he was employed by the Commonwealth of Virginia as director of the Virginia Department of Forensic Science's Eastern Laboratory in Norfolk. He spent 28 years with the crime lab, helping to develop and improve the quality of forensic science. Upon his retirement, he was awarded the Douglas M. Lucas Distinguished Service Award by the American Society of Crime Lab Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board in 2005. Mr. Campbell is survived by his wife of 55 years, Margaret Campbell; daughters, Rebecca Faircloth and Mary Thornton; sisters, Dorothy Campbell, Elizabeth Acevedo and Bernice Orwig; as well as four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Margaret Dyer. The memorial service will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Wycliffe Presbyterian Church, Virginia Beach. Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Great Neck Chapel, is handling the arrangements. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Wycliffe or the Virginia Beach Rescue Squad. The family would also like to thank all the physicians who cared for Mr. Campbell over the years.