Ronald Bruce Campbell, 95, of Lafayette, IN., passed away in his sleep Sunday, August 9, 2026, at Westminster Village in West Lafayette.
He acquired many titles during an extraordinary life that began in Chicago, the son of Elizabeth and William Campbell. Some of those include student, scout, caddy, soldier, teacher, coach, referee, umpire, mentor, administrator, guidance counselor, dean of students, assistant principal and politician.
The titles he was most proud of and whose responsibilities he performed most brilliantly were those of husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
He married Marlene Anne Edge on June 13, 1953. She preceded him death on March 19, 2019. Surviving are three children, Susan, (partner Don), Tom (wife Kim) and Jeanne (husband Jeff). A fourth child, Ronald, preceded them in death.
Ron was proud and supportive of the accomplishments of his five grandchildren, Elizabeth Hornbeck, Kathryn (husband Mike Hazell), Andrew Hornbeck (wife Amber), Brett Campbell (partner Kelly) and Jimmy Campbell (partner Katrin), as well as his great grandchildren, Ryleigh, Adelyn, Anderson, Abigail and Ruth.
Ron attended Purdue on the G.I. Bill (Air Force), earning a BS and MS (1957). His career as an educator started at Klondike High School. He also taught at Tecumseh Junior High and Jefferson High School in Lafayette before retiring as assistant principal in 1993.
An unrepentant optimist, Ron always had a smile on his face and did whatever necessary to make sure you had one on yours.
Ron was a dedicated civil servant. First serving as an elected Lafayette city councilman in 1970, he served on the council for 50 consecutive years, helping guide the future of his adopted hometown, which he loved so much.
His political legacy includes railroad relocation and the creation of ban on smoking in Lafayette businesses.
To contribute so greatly to a family, a city and a group of friends too great to list is its own reward. The world is lucky to have had such a man. But Ron Campbell would have said that he, indeed, was the fortunate one.
A celebration of his life will be held for his family members at a future date.