Photo courtesy of McConaghy Funeral Home, Ltd. - Ardmore
Ardmore, Pennsylvania
May 7, 1951 – Jul 29, 2018 (Age 67)
Dr. Robert M. Campbell, Jr., passed away on Sunday, July 29, 2018. A beloved husband, father, friend and renowned pediatric orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Campbell was especially noted for his invention of the Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Rib (VEPTR) which relieved suffering and enabled happy and productive lives for thousands of children all over the world with chest anomalies (Thoracic Insufficiency Syndrome), as well as severe scoliosis and other debilitating conditions.
A native of Nashville, Tennessee, Dr. Campbell was a graduate of Father Ryan High School, Johns Hopkins University, and the Georgetown University School of Medicine. He completed an orthopedic residency at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, Aurora, CO, and did his pediatric orthopedic fellowship at the Alfred I. DuPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE. Prior to coming to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in 2009, he held the President’s Council Chair in Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio.
Dr. Campbell’s accomplishments have been widely honored across the country and beyond. He has a long list of significant awards and publications. Not content only to be recognized for his singular contributions, Dr. Campbell invested his time and expertise in the training of numerous surgeons worldwide in his lifesaving and life-enabling techniques. He was dearly loved by his family, friends, patients, patients’ families, colleagues and all who came to know the warm, caring professional he was. He will be deeply mourned and greatly missed.
He is survived by his loving wife, Corey, and his children Abigail and Noah. He is also survived by three sons from a former marriage, Ryan, Sean, and Jake; his sisters, Susan and Betty; his brother, John; and his nieces and nephews, Susanne, Rob, David, and Rachel. He was predeceased by his parents, Robert M. Campbell and Betty K. Campbell.
Dr. Campbell’s remains are in repose at the William C. McConaghy Funeral Home, Ardmore, PA, where a viewing will be held on Sunday, August 5, from 4:00-7:00 PM.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. John Vianney Church, Gladwyne, PA, Monday, August 6 at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Conshohocken, PA. Active pallbearers include John Campbell, David Campbell, Behrooz Akbarnia, Gordon Bruce, Bill Carver, and Jack Flynn.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Dr. Robert Campbell to the Thoracic Insufficiency Research Fund at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Checks made out to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Foundation can be mailed to P.O. Box 781352, Philadelphia, PA 19178-1352. Please remember to write “In Memory of Dr. Campbell” on the memo line of the check. You may also make a donation to the Thoracic Insufficiency Research Fund in Dr. Campbell’s memory by visiting https://give.chop.edu/page/contribute/division-of-orthopedics
Read MoreI served with Dr. Campbell from 1981-1983 at Ft. Meade.I worked with him in the ortho clinic/orthopedic surgery and his eagerness to teach was amazing. He was a wonderful Dr. and person, I realize this is long after his passing but he will truly be missed.
Dianna Dowell
December 11, 2019 | Hardinsburg, KY | Military
I am aware this sentiment comes late. I would like Dr. Campbell's family to know that my prayers are with them. Dr. Campbell was my doctor when I was 15 years in San Antonio, TX. Once leaving the hospital after 2 months he always made me feel special. Even after becoming 18 he said he would continue to be my doctor as long as I wanted him to be, too bad it wasn't that easy to stay his patient. Through the years Dr. Campbell wrote letters of recommendation for me when I needed a nice word...
Rosette Escamilla
May 07, 2019 | San Antonio, TX | Friend
I am deeply saddened by the news of Dr.Campbells' death and am in tears as I read his obituary. Seventeen years ago my daughter was born with a rare chest defformity that left her incredibly fragile. Doctors here in Portland told us that the only person who could possibly help us was Dr. Campbell. We did not have the means to travel to Texas so Dr.Cambell traveled to Seattle and helped the Othopedic Surgery team inplant Kristinas first titanium rib. Six years later my son was born with the...
Emily Hayes
November 29, 2018 | Oregon City, OR | Acquaintance
Dr. Campbell was my doctor, and he was one of the finest men my family and I had ever met. I didn't know he passed until just this week, and I wish I had known, but my heart goes out to Corey, Abby, and Noah. He was the most compassionate doctor who was also a friend to my family and one of my greatest supporters in my days at the hospital. Thank God for this amazing man, may he rest in peace. Without him my life would not be the same, thank you again for giving me the life to stand on my own.
Itzel Rodriguez
October 27, 2018 | San Antonio, TX | Friend
Dr Cambell was the light for my sweet Molly in 2010. She had an extreme double bend in her spine from quick onset idiopathic scholiosis.The 8 hour surgery full spinal fusion has allowed her to live a complete and total normal life.
Molly was 12 at the time of surgery. She went on to play softball in high school and graduate valedictorian. She is a senior at TCNJ graduation with business and marketing majors and top in her class. She has done everything in athletics and life that...
Susan Sharpe-Kepner
October 18, 2018 | Marlton, NJ
I remember Bob from his years at Georgetown Medical School. He and my brother, Dr. Bill Stenson, were roommates and lifelong friends. Bob was always kind, funny and smart. My brother, passed away six months before Bob. I pray they are enjoying a delightful eternity following lives of incredibly hard work and dedication to making patients healthier.
Eileen Stenson Stevans
October 13, 2018 | Riverdale, MD | Friend
I worked with Dr Campbell I San Antonio in 1988, taking back the 1st titanium rib from the OR. He was the best, so sad for the medical community lost. Janet Irwin BSN RN
Janet Irwin
October 05, 2018 | Oklahoma City, OK | Coworker
Dr. Campbell was one of the FINEST men we have ever come to know in our family's lives. He saved our daughter's life and gave her quality of life she would never have been enjoying these last 6 years. This world was blessed to have him and he will be greatly missed around the world. Our condolences go out to his Family and Friends, from our family including my Aunt, Guadalupe Alvarado Hernandez, who worked with him in San Antonio, and even remembers sometimes watching his children, when they...
Eugene, Cindy, Jessica Alvarado
October 03, 2018 | Hatfield, PA | Friend
Dr. Campbell performed spinal fusion surgery on my son Vincent Proctor at CHOP. He was just an amazing doctor! He took such great care of Vincent and we valued him immensely! Vincent is heartbroken as am I. My sincere condolences to his family and friends. Anna Maria Riccitiello
October 01, 2018
