Martin Clare Campion

Martin C. Campion, born in Minneapolis, MN on December 28, 1934, passed away on August 3, 2024 in Louisville KY, due to complications from dementia. Martin is survived by his wife Connie Campion, Connie's brother, Ed Glynn(Sandra Glynn), Connie's sister, Mary Kleinvachter, children Denise Campion (Kerry Jones) , Bridget Campion (Khris Germany), Kevin Campion and Teresa Bowerman, his grandchildren, Britne Gobert and Anthony Gobert (Shilo Gobert), Jeremy Sears and Logan Sears (Lexi Wermers), Sarah Bowerman and Samuel Bowerman, Leland Germany, Amber Campion (Jimmy Glenn), Ally Kimbrough (Caden Kimbrough), and Caleb Campion his great-grandchildren, Gabriella, Zachary, Sophia, Raven, Grayson, Azalea, Eric and Lucas, and his brother, Joe Campion (Maggie), nieces and nephews in Minnesota and California, and his close gaming friends Tom Cleaver, Walt Brewer, Lonny Robinson, Barie Brewer, Drew Richardson, Cory and Fen Maloney, and John Hicks. He was preceded in death by his son, Jason Campion and his daughter, Sharon Gobert, his sister Annella, his brother Jack and Connie's sister, Marjorie Vennewitz.

Martin married Constance (Connie) Campion in 1960 and they raised 6 children, pursued careers, attended sporting, theatre and music events for their children, enjoyed camping, and traveling to visit relatives in Minnesota. He served in the Army and was stationed in Berlin from 1957 to 1959. He received his undergraduate degree at University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN (1956) and his Doctorate of Philosophy in History at University of Minnesota (1973). He was a professor of history at Pittsburg State University (PSU), Pittsburg, KS from 1965 to 1994. He was a pioneer in using games for education in the classroom (called EdTech now). He personally designed several computerized educational classroom games, including Rails West!, Medieval Lords and Slaves and Masters. At PSU he hosted the Historical Games Club on the 4th floor of Russ Hall in an area containing a collection of offices provided by the university, which was called the History Laboratory . It was a place for students to congregate, analyze war tactics and explore creative learning. He received the Lifetime Achievement Award from NASAGA (North American Simulation and Gaming Association) in 2013. Martin was dedicated to learning and teaching.

Martin was an avid reader of history, mysteries, fantasy, science fiction, and anything else that struck his fancy. He had an extensive repertoire of songs he loved to sing, including Swinging on a Star, Goober Peas, Big Rock Candy Mountain, German songs he learned while serving in the Army, and Irish Eyes Are Smiling. He willingly shared his voice with karaoke crowds and performed in several plays in Pittsburg, including The Odd Couple and The Red Mill. He creatively baked many varieties of bread, his delicious Stollen made its way to Christmas parties for decades. He made chicken and beef stock which he then used to create delicious soups and stews. Martin enjoyed playing board games with his friends on Monday and Wednesdays for the last 23 years. He enjoyed playing and teaching board games with anyone who was willing to sit down and learn a game. If you beat him after learning a new game he would say, "Ha, I must be a good teacher!" Some board games he enjoyed were Speed Circuit, Transamerica, Can't Stop, Wingspan, Splendor, and Istanbul. Martin had high standards for game selection and game playing etiquette. He was a contemplative thinker, a patient and kind listener, a collector of trivia, an excellent finder of lost items, and an admirer of the intricacies of language and communication and stories. He could be heard 'humphing' and laughing at a good story or joke days after he heard it. After 64 years of marriage, he would still look at Connie and call her 'his pretty girl'. He was a dedicated disperser of knowledge and loving husband and father.

Services will be held on September 14 at 10am at Louisville Memorial Gardens Northeast, Louisville, KY.