Robert D. Campbell died peacefully on Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at his residence in the company of his family and caretaker. Robert was born on March 5, 1923 at his family home in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He was the eleventh of twelve children born to Archie Alexander Campbell and Mary Clarissa (Monroe) Campbell. Three older siblings died shortly after their birth. Of the remaining nine children, there were five girls and four boys. Archie A. Campbell died when Robert was three years old.
Robert was educated in public schools in Fayetteville. In 1940, Robert graduated from E. E. Smith High School with honors. Robert worked odd jobs after school and during the summer months. In 1940, Robert entered Fayetteville State Teachers College. While he was walking around the campus one day, Robert met a fellow student, Elizabeth Marie Lawton, the woman who would become his wife. During his Junior year, Robert was drafted into the U.S. Army to serve in World War II. Robert and Elizabeth decided to get married after he returned from World War II. During the War, Robert's mother and most of his siblings moved from North Carolina to New York, New York.

In 1946, Robert resumed his college career. In May 1947, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education. On June 24, 1947, Robert and Elizabeth Lawton were married at the court house in Asheville, North Carolina. They moved to New York City to be close to the other Campbell family members and also because of opportunities to attend graduate school. Robert entered the New York University in 1947. By 1949, he graduated with a Masters Degree in Educational Administration and Supervision. Subsequent to his graduation, Robert got a job teaching at Hudson-Guild Settlement House. He taught Adult Education Classes and he worked in after-school programs for children. Additionally, he entered New York University's Doctoral Program.

By 1950, Robert grew tired of urban life and he longed to live in a smaller community. With the assistance of the Bureau of Appointment at New York University, Robert secured a teaching position in Corpus Christi.

In 1950, Robert moved to Corpus Christi, Texas and began teaching fifth grade at Booker T. Washington Elementary School. He remained at Washington Elementary School until 1962. In 1962, he was transferred to George Washington Carver Elementary School to serve as Head Teacher. In 1964, Robert was transferred to Solomon Melvin Coles Junior/Senior High School to teach history. After one year, Robert was selected to serve as Principal of Coles School. He remained at Coles School until the school closed (as a High School) in 1967. In late 1967, Robert was transferred to serve as Principal of Booker T. Washington Elementary School. It was at this time that the Corpus Christi Independent School District was forced to desegregate its schools. In 1970, he was transferred to serve as Principal of Casa Linda Elementary School. He was the school's first black Principal. He remained at Casa Linda School for about thirteen years. In 1983, he transferred to Central Park Elementary School. He remained there for two years before his retirement in June 1985.

From 1973 to 1976, Robert resumed his Doctoral studies at the University of Houston. He completed all of his course work. In 1987, he worked on a part time basis as a Social Worker at the Elliott Grant Homes for the Elderly. He remained in this position for at least twelve years.

Robert remained active in many projects and organizations over the years. Some of those include the following: Nueces County Literacy Commission; Board of Directors of the Corpus Christi Area Teachers Federal Credit Union; Nueces County Dispute Resolution Center; Advisor to Leadership Corpus Christi Program; Corpus Christi State School Volunteer Council; Scholarship Committee of the City Council P.T.A.; Membership Chairman and Building representative of Boy Scouts of America; Neighbors On Watch--Saxet Heights Community; Upward Bound Program; the Black/Jewish Dialogue Group of the National Conference of Christians and Jews; and the Solomon Melvin Coles High School Alumni Association.

Robert Campbell is preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Elizabeth Campbell. He leaves behind his surviving sibling, Nina Campbell Stephens, of Fayetteville, North Carolina; one daughter, Barbara P. Campbell of San Antonio, Texas; one son, Lawton D. Campbell (Gail) of Houston, Texas; one granddaughter, Ashley O. Campbell, of San Diego, California; and one grandson, Christopher L. Campbell of Houston, Texas. Robert's nieces and nephews include the following: William Campbell (Djaris), Susan Campbell, Alice Butler, Eleanor T. Campbell, and Keisha Womack of New York, New York; Dwayne Hicks (Sharon) of Detroit, Michigan; Colonel Kyle Hicks, Japan; Howard Lytle of Hilton Head, North Carolina; Joyce Lytle of Newport News, Virginia; and Claudia Brown (Rod) of Louisville, Kentucky. Robert Campbell was a loyal friend to many people across the United States. He was especially proud of the thousands of elementary, middle school, and high school students who brought great joy to his long and full life.

Public visitation will be held on May 20, 2016 at Heritage Memorial Funeral Home, 5026 Old Brownsville Road, Corpus Christi, Texas 78405 from 5:00pm to 8:00pm with a Wake Service to be held from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. Funeral Services will be held May 21, 2016 at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 700 S. Upper Broadway, Corpus Christi, Texas at 3:00pm. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to encourage donations to the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi, Texas or to the Robert Campbell Center of the Ben McDonald Library in Corpus Christi, Texas.