Rick Campbell died peacefully in Vancouver, December 17th 2014 after complications
from asymptomatic acute pancreatitis.
Rick was a gregarious, kind and generous person. Born in Edmonton, Rick met the love
of his life, Ellen Lund when he was 15 and she was 13. They married in 1962 and spent
52 happy years together with rarely a day apart. He is survived by Ellen, his three sons,
Rod, Bruce and Derek, of whom he was sincerely proud, his daughters-in-law, Wendi,
Kim and Amy, and his eight grandchildren, Mackenzie, Jack, Bronwen, Rachel, Nicole,
Lucy, Chloe and Sam, all of whom he loved greatly.
Rick had a successful thirty-year career in the furniture business (Campbell’s Furniture).
Commerce was not, however, a true passion and he retired at a young age. Rick’s real
loves were family, friends, travel, art, gardening, cars, motorbikes, food and music. He
and Ellen would host big, boisterous, music filled parties where friends of all ages could
get together to sing and dance. Few things made him happier than a house overflowing
with friends and family enjoying themselves.
Rick and Ellen filled the last twenty years with adventure and traveled to every corner of
the earth. In between the trips they spent their retirement years at Bowen Island,
Jasper, and Maui – three places they loved.
Rick epitomized one of his favorite sayings: “Living well is the best revenge.” He
brilliantly followed that advice and did so with style, class, and humility. Those of us
lucky enough to call him a friend will remember his sense of humour, his appreciation of
beauty, and his deep love for his family. He will be sorely missed.
The Campbell family will be having a small (family-only) service in keeping with his
wishes.
The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at OLVG Hospital (Amsterdam)
and St. Paul’s Hospital (Vancouver) for their extraordinary care.