Bob Campbell of Bainbridge Island passed away Feb. 9, 2016. He was 94.

Bob was born in Nov. 2, 1921 in Toledo, Ohio.

At an early age he learned piano, drawing, painting, woodworking and art appreciation; skills he utilized throughout his life.

Bob trained as a civilian pilot in college before enlisting in the Navy as an aviation cadet. The Navy brought him to Seattle where he met his future wife Patsy. During World War II and in Korea he was a carrier-qualified fighter pilot. He and Patsy, along with their children Karen, Bayard and Gretchen, moved coast-to-coast with the Navy before returning to the Pacific Northwest. Son Bayard passed away at the age of 12.

The Campbells landed on Bainbridge Island in 1968 where they lived on the Sand Spit for 35 years before moving to Winslow.

Bob was a consummate communicator and he used his skills and commitment to benefit the community of Bainbridge Island. Some of his important and varied activities include the BI Park Board, BI Vocational Advisory Council, Marine Science Society, Cross-Sound Rowing Race, Shoreline Committee, and his longest and favorite project, the Bainbridge Island Road Ends Committee. He is described by members of the committee as “the Heart and Soul” of road ends efforts. He helped plan and regularly attended the Thursday Morning Men’s Breakfast and spoke highly of the oatmeal.

His early career as an officer and pilot in the Navy inspired Bob and Patsy’s love of travel. Over 40 years and 56 trips, there were few areas of the world they did not visit. Travel by boat was perhaps their favorite, and included locations such as the Spice Islands, the Seychelles, the Caribbean, Norway, the Falklands, Thailand, Greece, Tahiti, Toronto, Antigua and Saint-Tropez.

Bob was devoted to his wife of 70 years, Patsy. Their strong relationship was a tremendous joy and resource to them, to family and to friends who number in the hundreds. Bob’s caring for his grandson Duncan, and family friends James and Philip, was a significant factor in their development, and is much appreciated by them all.

Bob’s talent extended to serving fancy gourmet buckwheat pancakes to others as often as possible. He was a singular individual who leaves behind memories of affection, kindness, hilarity, talents learned and shared, and a community richer for his involvement.

The date of a memorial celebration will be announced later.