Dean Robert Campbell

Dean Robert Campbell
Dean Robert Campbell, 88, passed away January 11, 2017 in Wickenburg, Arizona. Dean was born in Topeka, Kansas on March 10, 1928. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Lawrence Campbell, Sr. (Valda Vera Johnson). He graduated from Topeka High School and attended the University of Kansas. His parents and two brothers, R.L. Campbell and Max Campbell preceded him in death.

In 1951 Dean married Marjorie "Midge" Hamilton, his high school sweetheart, and they enjoyed 38 years together until her death in 1989. In 1994 Dean and Sondra Bishop Struebing were happily united in marriage in Manhattan, Kansas where they lived until moving to Arizona in 2004. Dean is survived by his wife Sondra, his four children: Jancy Campbell Pettit (Brad Eberhart) of Topeka, KS, Susie Campbell Heddens (Spence) of Kansas City, Bob Campbell (Jill) of Manhattan, KS, Stacey Campbell Ketcham (Bob) of Urbandale, IA and step-son Patrick Struebing of Phoenix, AZ. He is also survived by grandchildren: Brooks Pettit, Casey Pettit Babcock (John); Ellie, John and David Heddens; Jack Campbell; and Campbell, Hallie and Cooper Ketcham.

In 1950, Dean began his life long association with the United States Army. He graduated from Officer Candidate School and received his commission at Ft. Benning, Georgia. Following active duty, he remained in the National Guard and retired as a captain with 24 years of military service. As a civilian, he continued his service as an officer board member and life member of Association of the United States Army. He served as Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army and was the recipient of military and civilian awards for his continued support of the military, including the Sergeant Audie Murphy award.

Dean had a true entrepreneurial spirit. After returning to Topeka from active duty in the U.S. Army, he founded Campbell Personnel Service, which operates today as Bossler Brown and Associates. He subsequently became personnel manager for Fleming Company, Inc. In 1968, he purchased an Anheuser-Busch distributorship serving north central Kansas and moved to Manhattan, Kansas. He resided there as president of Campbell Distributors until his retirement and full time residency in Arizona in 2004. He also created Lefthanders International, a membership organization and magazine publisher for left handed people. He often appeared on television and radio as a national authority on the subject and was responsible for the establishment of August 13 as International Left Handers Day.

Dean had a wide variety of interests outside of his businesses. He enjoyed sports, including football, which he played as a member of the University of Kansas football team and later officiated on the high school/college level for over 20 years. He was an avid golfer and was most recently enjoying his Arizona affiliations with the Gainey Ranch Golf club in Scottsdale and Los Caballeros Golf Club in Wickenburg. He was a member and leader of numerous clubs, civic organizations, boards and social groups including, Cosmopolitan Club, American Cancer Society, Chamber of Commerce, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Manhattan Zoo Foundation Board, Manhattan Country Club, St. Mary's Hospital, Kansas Beer Wholesalers Association, Governors Military Affairs and AUSA.

Private family services will be held at Mount Hope Cemetery and Funeral Chapel in Topeka followed by a Celebration of Life at the Topeka Country Club on January 24 at 3:30 PM. Family suggests contributions in Dean's memory to Wounded Warrior Project.org.

To leave a message for the family please visit the guestbook below.