Richard "Dick" E. Campbell

Richard E. “Dick” Campbell, age 82, of Elkhart, passed away on Sunday, November 17, 2024. Born October 11, 1942, in Muncie, Indiana, he was the son of the late Francis and Mary Campbell. A graduate of Muncie Central High School, Dick was a standout athlete on the basketball court. He enlisted in the U.S. Army just before the Vietnam War and served honorably until his discharge in October 1968.

Dick is survived by his children, Brian (Tamela) Campbell and Kris Campbell, both of Portage, Michigan; his grandchildren, Richard (Elise) Campbell and Branda (James) Backoff; and his great-grandchildren, Rowan Campbell and Brynn Backoff, with two more great-grandchildren expected in 2025. He is also survived by his longtime companion, Lori Long, of Elkhart; his brothers, Larry (Mona) Campbell of Bloomington, Indiana, and Wayne (Connie) Campbell of Indianapolis; and his sister-in-law, Mary Lu Campbell. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Dean and Rex Campbell, and his faithful guide dog, Clovis the Golden Retriever.

A graveside service with military honors will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at Gardens of Memory Cemetery in Muncie, Indiana.

Dick worked as a property manager for several apartment complexes and properties in the Elkhart area before opening Affordable Storage, a self-storage business, which began with 12 units and grew into numerous sites throughout the county. He semi-retired at age 62, leaving a legacy as a fair and honest businessman.

His competitive spirit endured throughout his life. Dick enjoyed playing baseball and softball, bowling, woodworking, and cheering for Indiana University basketball, the Indianapolis Colts, Notre Dame sports, and NASCAR. Despite losing his sight, he embraced life’s challenges, often spending time in his garage working on projects and woodworking.

Above all, Dick loved being a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He cherished time spent with his family and instilled strong values and a tireless work ethic in those he loved most.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Elkhart High School Scholarship Fund, which Dick supported for many years, or to ADEC of Elkhart, which helped him adjust as his sight was failing.

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