Dr. Robert L. Campbell

1925 - 2018

Dr. Robert L. Campbell

Zionsville - Robert Louis Campbell, MD, died on August 16th, 2018, at his home in Zionsville, Indiana. Dr. Campbell was the third of five children born to Cecil and Edna (Trout) Campbell in Westerville, Ohio, on November 16th, 1925. Upon graduation from West High School he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was stationed at Great Lakes Naval Base. Dr. Campbell then entered the Naval V-12 program and enrolled at Baldwin Wallace College where he received his B.S degree in chemistry. After graduating from The Ohio State University College of Medicine in 1949, he married Maryann Shark that same year, and they enjoyed 46 years of marriage until her death in 1995. He completed his internship at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Philadelphia. He was on active duty during the Korean War and was stationed at Subic Bay in the Philippines. Dr. Campbell was in family practice in Columbus, Ohio, before making the decision to become a neurosurgeon. He completed his training in neurological surgery at the Indiana University Medical Center and joined the faculty there in 1957. In 1965, Dr. Campbell was appointed Director of Neurological Surgery and continued in this capacity until 1992. He served on the faculty until 2006 when he retired as professor emeritus. Throughout his career, Dr. Campbell was responsible for the training of residents and fellows in the neurosurgery program and was the author of numerous publications and a frequent presenter at professional meetings. His areas of specialization included acoustic neuromas, cranial vascular neurosurgery and cervical spine neurosurgery. In 1999, the Robert L. Campbell Endowed Professorship in Neurosurgery was established to recognize and honor him for his extraordinary contributions to the Indiana University School of Medicine and the field of neurological surgery and to support resident education and research. Dr. Campbell was a member of Alpha Epsilon Delta and Alpha Omega Alpha. Professional memberships included Indianapolis Medical Society, Indiana State Medical Society, American Medical Association, Indiana Society of Neurological Surgeons, American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Society of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, American College of Surgeons and Sigma Xi. He married Mary Ann Turecek Helms in 1997 and gained a son and daughter. Survivors include his wife, Mary Ann, sons David B. Campbell, MD (Sarah), Brian L. Campbell (Renee), Robert Craig Campbell (Anita), step daughter Laura Helms Aguillon (Ramon), step son Grant E. Helms, sister Doris E. Speer, 7 grandchildren, 2 step grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Maryann Shark Campbell, brothers Lawrence C. Campbell and Joseph B. Campbell, and sister Ruth V. Campbell. An avid golfer, Dr. Campbell was a long time member at Crooked Stick Golf Club. He was also a member at Wildcat Run Golf and Country Club in Estero, Florida, where he and Mary Ann spent the winters. They enjoyed traveling together and being surrounded by family. He was a member of Zionsville United Methodist Church. Dr. Campbell will be remembered as a superior physician, a good natured and generous friend and a lover of dogs.There will be a visitation on Friday, August 24th, 2018 from 4-8 pm at Zionsville United Methodist Church, 9644 Whitestown Road Zionsville, Indiana, 46077. The celebration of life will be Saturday, August 25th, 2018 at 1:00 pm at Zionsville United Methodist Church. Burial will be Monday, August 27th in Columbus, Ohio. Memorial contributions may be made to the Indiana University Foundation, Robert L. Campbell Professorship in Neurological Surgery, P.O. Box 7072, Indianapolis, IN 46207-7072.