Duncan A. Campbell, age 96, of Bennington, VT, died of natural causes on May 6, 2023 after a long and happy life. Born in Buffalo, NY on September 21, 1926, Duncan was the youngest child of Donald and Edith (VanSantvoord) Campbell. He served on the USS Saratoga in the Pacific until the end of World War II, went on to Williams College, and spent his work life as an engineer, teacher, photographer, and conservation educator. He married Ann W. Campbell in 1958 and together they enjoyed 65 years of family, adventures, and projects. Kind, steady, clever and hard-working, Duncan was passionate about the natural world and our responsibility to it. His ruddy cheeks and big smile touched many lives, as did his warmth and enthusiasm. Predeceased by his two older sisters, Jean C. Leake and Doris C. Safford, he is survived by his wife, his son, Donald A. Campbell, and daughter, Ellen C. Campbell, both of Bennington, his daughter-in-law Margaret Campbell, son-in-law James Cook, and four grandchildren. A memorial gathering will be held at a later date.

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Published by The Bennington Banner on May 10, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Duncan Campbell

Sponsored by BenningtonBanner.com.

11 Entries

Lloyd Bishop

January 4, 2025

My first impression of Duncan was that he was a VERY cool dad! His son Don and I had just become buddies on a hiking trip in northwest Mass. in fall `79; Duncan picked us up in a gleaming 1950s convertible - I think the top was up, but we soon stopped on the Mass. border and Duncan put it down, and from there we cruised that pretty road toward Bennington, the sun setting and the wind in our hair: a beautiful memory. I loved the way Don called his dad Dunc, whom he lovingly described as "a good man" (something I´d never heard a fellow teenager say of a father).

As I got to know Duncan a little, I thought of him as a real "man of the woods," and more - his good-humored tales of skiing, sailing, serving in WWII, and other adventures made it clear that he was a real Man of the World. There are surely many people whose lives Duncan graced and who will treasure countless memories of him - I send my deepest condolences to Don and ALL the Campbells.

Helen Soule Donahey

July 14, 2024

Helen Soule Donahey

July 14, 2024

Helen Soule Donahey

July 14, 2024

I´m so sorry I´m only learning of this belatedly. I believe my father, William Lamson Soule, Jr. was a friend of or related to Duncan Campbell. I´m going through family photos and found a family portrait that says it was taken at Duncan Campbell´s home in North Bennington, VT. I have very fond memories of visiting there and Mr. Campbell teaching me to row on a small pond on their property, and of staying in a bunkhouse that I found impossibly charming. I cried when we left. I ended up moving to Vermont as an adult; I live in Essex Junction now. I had always meant to try to get in touch since I moved here but don´t get to the other end of the state very often. I´m so sorry, but am glad to know he had such a long, full life. My Dad was 92 when he died back in September and he too had a good long run. My condolences to the family.
-Helen Soule Donahey

Tyler Resch

May 23, 2023

Duncan has been an almost lifelong friend. Gentle, jovial, knowledgeable. A favorite memory was cross-country skiing with him one winter on the frozen Somerset reservoir. I will miss him.

Nanci Leach

May 13, 2023

I remember Duncan very well. He was one of the camping leaders at Merck Forest when i was a young child.. I believe it was one of the first yrs they had camps for kids at Merck. I use to call him "Dunkin donuts & Campell soup"! He was a wonderful person i know the woods and the world will be different now.. I will visit his cabin at Merck this summer and think of him..God bless

J J Kulas MSCS, USN, Retired

May 13, 2023

What an incredible life lived. You are a grand example of the Greatest Generation. My deepest thanks for your service to our country. Sleep well shipmate, you are relieved. Rest in peace. J J Kulas MSCS, USN, Retired

Bruce Watson

May 12, 2023

As a young man, I plowed his driveway. I remember him as being extremely kind and always wanting to chat. RIP Mr. Campbell....

Nancy

May 10, 2023

I have a distinct recollection of his kindness to kids such as me. I grew up in Bennington as a daughter of a cantakerous country extension agent, and Duncan handled my father masterfully. Even as a child, I admired his enthusiasm for Merck and protecting Vermont nature. My condolences to the family. / Nancy (Page) Doyle

Betsy Ratelle

May 10, 2023

He was a wonderful and caring
Person. So sorry for your loss. One of Benningtons true hero´s

Tom Ward

May 10, 2023

Dunc was the quintessential naturalist, a dear friend to all and a wonderful leader for Merck Forest & Farmland Center for 16 years....not a person to be soon forgotten. Pax vobiscum, et cum spiritu tuo.
Tom Ward

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