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Milton Hugh Campbell
09/02/1928 — 11/04/2008
From Richland, WA, US | Born in Billings, MT
Milton Hugh Campbell
Milton H. Campbell
"Old chemists never die…they just reach equilibrium"
Milton H. Campbell, of Richland passed away November 4, 2008 after a valiant 26 years living with one lung.
Milt was born in Billings, Montana on September 2, 1928 to Dr. J. Paul and Natalie Bennett Campbell. He attended a number of public schools throughout western Montana starting at a one room rural school at Emmigrant and graduating from high school at Bozeman. He graduated from Montana State College, Bozeman in 1951 with a B.S. degree in Chemistry. Milt served in the US Army Chemical Corps during the Korean conflict from 1953 to 1955. Upon returning from the service he earned his M.S. In Engineering from the University of Washington.
Milt met his loving lifetime companion, Marguerite Herndon while working between school years. They were married in 1952 and began a wonderful journey through life highlighted by four loving children, nine delightful grandchildren, a golden wedding anniversary and enjoying our relatives and many engaging friends along the way. They are members of West Side Church.
Milt came to Hanford to aid in the startup of the PUREX separations plant. He found his niche in life working as a chemist and later as an engineer for eight major companies at Hanford in management and senior technical positions, retiring as a fellow engineer. He wrote, presented and published technical papers and edited books on aspects of separations chemistry and high level nuclear waste management.
Milt was deeply involved with professional societies. He held many offices locally and nationally with the American Chemical Society ACS where he was an emeritus member. He chaired a Regional ACS meeting and chaired sessions in a number of others. He was very active in organizing and guiding the American Society for Testing Materials ASTM Committee C-26 on Nuclear Materials where he was given the Award of Merit and named Fellow. Milt was technical chairman of an embedded international safeguards meeting for the American Nuclear Society where he was an emeritus member.
On retirement, Milt and Marguerite traveled extensively, visiting many places where he had been to technical meetings, but never had the chance to enjoy the scenery and history as they did together. A journey to Scotland to explore his Campbell Clan heritage was a special highlight of his life. Equally exciting were attending contests, games and concerts their children and grandchildren engaged in. Add to that the yearly family gathering at the beach and life was sweet.
He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Marguerite; daughter Chelene Campbell, husband Stephen Smith of Richland and children Kyle and Nicole Miller, great granddaughter Ashlyn of Cheney; son Daniel P. Campbell of Richland; son Greg Campbell and wife Shari, children Aaron, Austin and Annalise of Kent; and daughter Cynthia Dabbs, husband Scott and children Natalie, Chase, Daniel and Katie of Maple Valley.
A celebration of his life will be held at West Side United Protestant Church in Richland at 2:00 PM Saturday November 8, 2008.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to the Kadlec Foundation, The Tri-Cities Cancer Center, or the Tri-Cities Chaplaincy.
May Milton’s path of equilibrium bring to he and his loving family a completely fulfilling sense of all we experience, as truely sweet. He was a beautiful model of a being living and experiencing all he did wholeheartedly and with enthisiasm. Truely a great man has stepped forward to his next adventure. Our gift was in knowing him. My prayers go out to his loving family. Sincerely,
Mrs. Connie L. Van der Cook
Robert E. Van der Cook deceased
I am so sorry I was not able to be there at the services, I was able to meet Milton and his wife once or twice, I knew him through his son Dan, who was a true friend to my father Dale “Mac” McCurdy,, my prayers are still going out to the family at this time.
Uncle Milt ,
I will always hold your great smile in my heart.And will miss you .Thank you for always being so kind to all of us.The Lord must have needed the best this year,
Love Donna Matthis
Milt was a warm mentor of mine within the ACS. His gentleness, sharp wit, and strong teaching will be with me always. My condolences to his loving family on the loss of a true gem.
We extend our hearts, thoughts and prayers as we remember the wonderful memories we’ve shared.
~Kevin & Amy
So long Milt its been good to know you these last fifty years.
Thurm
Milt took a chance on me as a young FEMALE chemist in 1970 in the 222-S lab. He was my mentor and provided the encouragement that I needed. He provided the basis to start my long career. I remember him with great love and admiration.
We got to know Milt in our 30 years in the local Chemical Society and various “Hanford” professional circles. We valued him as a friend and admired his dedication to the society and the chemical profession. We’re sure that Milt’s generous, helpful manner will be remembered fondly by scores of others too.
As your neighbor, we will miss not seeing Milt outside the house checking on things! Wish we would have had more time to get to know him better and play more Bunco! Our thoughts and prayers are with you Marguerite.
Guestbook for
Milton Hugh Campbell