Memorial
Charles “Chuck” Earl Campbell, 92, of Cedar Rapids, went home to be with his heavenly father on Sunday, March 16, at the Dennis & Donna Oldorf Hospice House, Hiawatha, just eight days shy of his 93rd birthday. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 21, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids, with a visitation from 10:00-11:00 a.m. and a luncheon following the service. Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church or the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight.
Chuck was born on March 24, 1932, in Vinton, Iowa, the son of Earl and Adelaide (Quackenbush) Campbell. He graduated from Vinton High School in 1952, and after graduation went to work for Iowa Manufacturing in Cedar Rapids. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1953, and served two years in the Korean War as a Battalion Supply Sergeant. He was a proud veteran, and a highlight of his life was going on an Eastern Iowa Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.
Following the war, he returned to Iowa Manufacturing where he worked until his retirement in 1994, without ever having taken a sick day.
On June 23, 1956, Chuck married the love of his life, Patricia Garbers, at St. Andrews Lutheran Church in Van Horne, Iowa. God blessed them with nearly 69 wonderful years of marriage, and three children. The “only” time Chuck didn’t listen to Pat, was when she told him she was going to go to heaven first, because she couldn’t live without him. “Shame on him.” Chuck was the ultimate husband and father, and until just hours before his death, cared for Pat in their Cedar Rapids home, doing all the cooking, cleaning, shopping and household chores. Pat and Chuck were inseparable and could often be seen walking hand-in-hand along the streets of Cedar Rapids, or the beaches of Gulf Shores. They were breakfast regulars at Nick’s Bar, where they enjoyed time with friends.
Known as Chuck, Charlie, Chaz, Uncle Chuck, Dad, gramps and grandpa, he will be remembered as a kind, caring and humble man. Chuck was all about family, whether it was with his immediate family or extended family. He enjoyed playing with his kids in the backyard after work, helping them with paper routes, supporting their school events, or taking them on long family vacations to Disneyland, Texas, Canada and all places in between. His five grandchildren, and one great-grand-daughter, were his pride and joy, and he was their biggest fan and cheerleader.
Chuck enjoyed a good game of cards, and was famous for his “special” popcorn, made the old-fashioned way on a stove top. His kids and grandkids fought over it constantly, and he was even known to mail it to his grandkids. He was proud of the fact that he was still driving at the age of 92, and that he was able to stay in his own home up until his final 12 hours.
Chuck was also an avid and proud fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes and Chicago Cubs, and his wardrobe was a true reflection of his allegiance. He could replay game details until his death and was surprised the Hawkeyes fired Fran McCaffery. Chuck was baptized on May 31, 1957, and was a faithful member of Trinity Lutheran Church for more than 60 years, where he served on the Board of Trustees and was captain of the Dartball team.
Left to honor his memory are his loving wife, Pat; sons, Scott (Beth) Campbell, Eldridge, and Kirk, Cedar Rapids; daughter Lori (Jeff) Donald, Cedar Rapids. Grandchildren: Chelsea (Jeff) Faine, Denver, Co.; Addie (Mark) Akin, St. Louis, Mo.; Jordan (Cody Fisher) Donald, Oklahoma City; Devon (Jenna) Campbell, Cedar Rapids, and Jake (Carolyn Simon) Donald, Chicago. Great-granddaughter: Selah Akin. Brother: Jack, Stevens Point, Wis.; Sisters: Florence Rippel and Marcia Relf, Vinton, and Lois Purdy, Oelwein, along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Bob, and several sisters and brothers in-law.