Obituary of Donald "Don" Campbell

June 28, 1923 - October 13, 2023

Don was raised in Edmonton, Alberta moving to Calgary in 1967. After graduating high school, Don worked on the Alaska Highway, then joined the Canadian Navy during WWII. After the war, he obtained BComm and BEd degrees from the University of Alberta and a Masters in Adult Education from the University of British Columbia.

Don’s passion was adult education, and his expertise was sought by the United Nations to evaluate training programs in the Philippines. Don was the originator and Chair of the Association of Canadian Career Colleges, past executive member of the University of Calgary Senate, and a life member of the Chamber of Commerce.

Don was a proud member and past President of the Downtown Rotary Club and received Rotary International Director’s Award for his exemplary contribution to their Stay in School Program.  He also chaired Rotary International’s 1988 Polio campaign for Western Canada for which he received the Canadian Public Health Association’s Award of Merit. Don was a Paul Harris Fellow and exemplified the Rotary motto “Service above Self”. He chaired the Metropolitan Calgary Foundation and oversaw the building of several new affordable living communities for seniors. In recent years, Don was a Watchman volunteer at the Military Museums and proudly conducted tours of the Naval Museum. 

Don loved cars, taking great pride in his 1923 Model T coupe and touring with the Model T Ford club. He could fix almost everything and like many of his generation, did not believe in throwing anything out. Don had a great sense of adventure and self-reliance and never encountered a problem that couldn’t be solved with ingenuity, perseverance, and a good sense of humour. He instilled confidence, respect and admiration in those who knew him.

Don was predeceased by his wife Olive and is survived by his children, Sharon of Waterloo, Donna of Calgary and Colin and his wife Jan Mayes of Ottawa.

The family thanks Dr Kerba and his staff, and the nursing staff of Foothills Hospital and Chinook Hospice for the extraordinary care Don received.

A Remembrance will be held at a later date. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Don’s family here.
   
If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the CNIB Guide Dog Puppy Raising program, Support CNIB Guide Dogs | CNIB

In living memory of Donald Campbell, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.