Dr. John B. Campbell (Jack), age 80, of North Platte, passed away December 29, 2013 at Centennial Park Retirement Village. He was born March 30, 1933 in Fairmont, NE to John Bernard and Cecelia White Campbell and raised on a small tenant farming operation near Wallace, Nebraska. At 12 years old Jack was enrolled at Saint Patrick’s Academy in Sidney, Nebraska where he enjoyed participating in sports and received varsity letters in football, basketball, baseball, and track. Jack enjoyed being educated by the devoted sisters and priests. After high school graduation, Jack joined the Union Pacific Railroad in Wyoming at age 17 and was the youngest brakeman in the U.P. System. Jack greatly enjoyed his railroad years, his many Wyoming adventures, and lifelong friends he made. Drafted for military service during the Korean War, Jack was fortunate to be assigned to a transport division, touring much of Europe, and qualifying as a military expert marksman. He also gained many more lifelong friends. Upon returning stateside and resuming his work with Union Pacific, he met his future bride Jane Bernadette Hughes of Battle Creek, Nebraska who was working as a grade school teacher in Rawlins, Wyoming. They were married June 12, 1956 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Battle Creek, Nebraska. Together they had four children, John, Mike, Jeannie, and Cathy.
Jack completed his undergraduate, as well as master’s degree at the University of Wyoming. The family then transferred to Manhattan, Kansas where Jack took a graduate fellowship at Kansas State University to pursue his Doctoral studies in entomology. Jack did his PhD work in the Kansas Flint hills studying rangeland grasshopper lifecycle and control for pasture improvement. After earning his PhD, Jack began his career in Lincoln, Nebraska with the US Department of Agriculture in a research laboratory. When a research and extension position opened in 1969 at the University of Nebraska North Platte Experiment station Jack and family moved to North Platte. He spent many years with the University of Nebraska and truly loved his work, his colleagues, and the farmers and ranchers he served throughout the State.
Jack accumulated many professional honors and awards over the years including the Distinguished Service to Agriculture award presented in Washington DC by Secretary of Agriculture John Block. He was also inducted into the University of Nebraska Agricultural Hall of Fame. Highlights of Jack’s professional career include his research and pioneering of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) pest control systems for feedlot and range cattle. Jack demonstrated the impact of stable fly populations on cattle performance and the spread of pink eye infections by face fly.
Jack’s research led to invitations to present papers and conduct seminars around the world. He greatly enjoyed his professional trips to Africa, South America, and Europe spreading the knowledge gained over 5 decades of work. Jack retired from full time work but was invited to stay on in a part time capacity until he was 72.Jack was named Professor Emeritus, and joked about many of his graduate students retiring before he did.
Jack was devoted to North Platte Saint Patrick’s High School. He served on the school board for many years including the Chairmanship. He was an Honorary Life Member of the Knights of Columbus. All his children graduated from St Pats. One highlight was being asked to deliver the 1984 commencement address. Even after his own children were long gone, Jack rarely missed a home St Pat’s sporting event and enjoyed greeting everyone at the gates for ticket sales.
Jack was a sports enthusiast and enjoyed following the Huskers, Wildcats, Cowboys, and Royals. He also enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, and hunting.
Jack was a road warrior for his family. He was constantly on the road for trips to Kansas City, Omaha, and San Diego to visit his children, grandchildren for special events and holidays. He also enjoyed heritage trips with Jane to Ireland and Scotland, trips to the Netherland to visit their beloved exchange student Analees Mulder, and a trip to New Zealand for son John’s wedding. Closer to home, Jack and Jane loved the company of his brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws in the Hughes family and the companionship of his brother Jerry.
Besides family, Jack built true community with his neighbors. Each place he lived, lifelong friends resulted, giving him enjoyment beyond words.
His spiritual life was centered on Holy Spirit Catholic Church and its many activities.
Jack’s favorite quote was, “grieve not for me for I have seen the wonders the Lord has wrought”.
He was preceded in death by father and mother, John and Cecilia Campbell.
Survivors include; wife Jane of North Platte; brother Gerald of North Platte; sons, John (Robyn Tait) of New Zealand and Mike (Debbie) of Kansas City; daughters, Jeannie (Tim Kluempers) of Kansas City and Cathy (Dean) Miyake of California; twelve grandchildren, Kaitlin, Jacob, and Cecelia Campbell, Annie Freeman (Seth), Molly, Rosie, and Mary Grace Campbell, Janie, Catherine, Brock and Lacianna Kluempers and Raina Miyake; and two great-grandchildren Jackson and Luke Freeman.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Women’s Resource Center, and NP Catholic School Endowment Fund. Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Christian Wake Services will be 7:00 p.m. Thursday, January 2, 2014 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, January 3, 2014 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with the Reverend James Novakowski as celebrant. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Thursday, January 2, 2014 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.