Jack Campbell

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In Memoriam

 
PDG Jack Campbell
Aug 20, 1919 - Apr 27, 2004
 

Jack was born in Vancouver on August 20, 1919 and passed away April 27, 2004 in the company of his loving wife, Marion.
 
Jack was educated in Vancouver, where he joined his father's firm, Campbell Studios in 1937. He left Vancouver to work for a large studio in Seattle. Jack returned to Canada in 1941 and enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy as a probationary Sub-Lieutenant.
 
Following service in Corvettes and Frigates in the North Atlantic during World War II, a return to civilian life in late 1945 saw a re-entry into the photograph business in Vancouver.
 
He joined Rotary in 1950, as an additional active to his Dad, Bill Campbell. He was first elected to the Board in 1954, and re-elected in 1966. He was elected Vice President for 1968, and elected President for the 1970/71 Rotary year. In June 1980 he was presented with a Paul Harris Award by Gordon Christopher.
 
Jack was always an active on several committees and was the official club photographer for many years, retiring in 1987. He liked to golf and to travel.
Jack worked with District 5040 and became District Governor in 1987/88, a year that was memorable for two distinct happenings. Firstly, it was the first year following the split of the old district 504 into two new districts, 504 and 505. Secondly, it was to become known as the PolioPlus Year, the year Rotary International would endeavour to raise US$120,000,000 for the eradication of Polio from the world by 1990. Both occasions were successful. District membership reached 1,700, and US$ 219,000,000 was raised in cash and pledges.
 
In 1992, Jack was invited to serve as a President's Rotary Information Officer by Clifford L. Dochterman, then President-Elect of Rotary International, who selected 100 outstanding Rotary leaders throughout the world to become resources needed to promote and emphasize Rotary leadership.
In 1993/94 he was presented with the Rotary Foundation District Service Award for outstanding service in promoting The Rotary Foundation and its goal of world understanding and peace. One of his most memorable moments was visiting the Manango River Watershed, Cebu City, Philippines in 1994 on a Friendship Exchange, to see the astonishing improvements in Quality of Life as a result of a Rotary $300,000 3H Grant.
 
Jack also served as Club Installation Officer for many of our distinguished presidents. He and Marion served as Presidential aides to many Rotary dignitaries at both District and RI functions.
 
Jack often inducted new members to Rotary. Following are some of his typical remarks, which describe him better than others' words could do:
  • At this time of induction, I have been granted the privilege of saying a few words on behalf of your fellow Rotarians.
  • We, your fellow Rotarians and I, are here today, not only to welcome each of you as a very important member of the team of Rotary, but we want to assure you that we accept the responsibility and obligation of working with you and ensuring that you become involved during this early state of your Rotary membership.
  • Rotary in an association of clubs, the Individual Club is the heart of Rotary, and you as members, are the lifeblood of the club. Effective Rotarians are those who develop their potential for greater service by employing the resources and powers they have, and they are numbered among those who seek and find solutions, rather than those who become absorbed with the magnitude of life's problems.
TO BE EFFECTIVE:
  • Your attendance at meetings, your enthusiastic participation in the work of the committees, your willingness to become involved, all of these are vital and your contribution will ensure the continued growth of the Vancouver Rotary Club.
  • During its 65 years (at that time) the Vancouver Rotary Club has been their club to literally thousands of Rotarians. The legacy that they have handed down to us is a proud one, one of accomplishment, one of growth, and one to treasure and enrich.
  • District Conferences are held once a year - do try to attend all or part of the sessions. The International Convention is also a yearly event and I can assure you from personal experience - having attended three - it is a marvelous and exciting feeling to share the international fellowship on such a large scale.
  • I am delighted, on behalf of all of your fellow Rotarians, to formally induct you into membership in the Vancouver Rotary Club.
In community affairs, Jack was past president of the Vancouver Executives Association. He served on the executive board on the Naval Officers' Association of British Columbia and on committees of the Professional Photographers of America where he held the classification of Certified Professional Photographer.
 
Jack Campbell was a gentleman in the true meaning of the word. He was well spoken and very thoughtful of all in his company. Jack and Marion gave of themselves to all Rotary events both at the Club, District and RI level. The memory of Jack