Col. Patrick Kenneth Campbell, Ret.

Colonel Patrick Kenneth Campbell, 82, passed away suddenly in his home on December 24, 2022. Born in McKeesport, PA, on December 10,1940, to Kenneth and Virginia (Galligan) Campbell. As a young boy he would lie in the grass looking at planes flying overhead and decided he would be a pilot one day. He graduated from McKeesport High School in 1958 and entered the Air Force in June 1960 as a cadet in the aviation training program. He became a navigator bombardier. While flying with crews as a navigator, he discovered a lifelong love of handball. Stories of sprained ankles and near misses on the handball court sprinkled our childhood.  He may have been a more skilled sideline heckler at various handball clubs than an actual player- he was legendary. For the next several years in active duty, he became a computer programmer at the SAC headquarters and gained ranks in the Air Force. In 1967, while in pilot training in Enid, OK, he was introduced to his wife, Sharon, through mutual friends.  In August 1968, she agreed to take care of his beloved Volvo 1800 and drive it once a week while he rode his motorcycle from Kansas to California. Next, he departed to serve his country in Vietnam and began his career flying the C-47’s in Vietnam; he finished his career flying the C-130. His Air Force career took him all over the world. After settling in Kansas, he was stationed at Forbes, Richards Gebaur, and Whiteman Air Force Bases. He met the closest of friends and confidants throughout his Air Force career. Their outlandish exploits and schemes are mostly secret to his children, but they loved hearing bits and pieces of his tall tales. Seeing him laugh telling these stories are their favorite memories of him.

In 1970, Pat married Sharon, settling in Topeka, KS, and eventually in Kansas City. He left active duty and joined the U.S. Air Force Reserves in 1972.  His training in the military paved the way for his civilian career in computer programming.  He earned his MBA while working in various KC banks and ultimately at DST Systems in records storage management.  Pat continued his Air Force career by serving as a liaison officer for the Air Force Academy, mentoring prospective cadets in the application process.  He respected what a military career could do for a young person and would speak publicly when asked to share his experiences. He continued to fly in the Air Force reserves one weekend a month.  He retired from the Air Force after 32 years in 1991.

Pat was an independent man, who led a very active life.  His family remembers him being at all the sporting events he could get to for his kids. He would often sit alone, quietly cheering them on at their baseball, soccer, cross country and wrestling events. In retirement he invested himself in countless hobbies and interests. He valued his long time investment club, handball clubs, woodworking guild and his countless social circles. He recently became involved with a local Vietnam Veteran's Chapter and enjoyed volunteering at the WWI Memorial. An avid history buff, he read any military history book he could get his hands on. He was proud of his classic Volvo P1800, and it was recognized in multiple car shows. He appreciated restoring old tools, pocket knives, cars, and furniture, putting new life into them. If it was broken, you knew you could ask Pat to tinker with it. Most likely, he could fix it for you. He spent every weekend watching all his favorite teams -a die-hard Pittsburgh Steelers fan- KC Chiefs, KC Royals, college football - KSU, KU, MU, basically anything on the TV.  But perhaps his strongest pastime and what he is most known for was his willingness to drop everything and drive across town or across the country to help loved ones.  He hated to be idle and showed his love by helping.  Even in his last hours, he was fixing their home of 48 years during the coldest temperatures in recent history.   He valued and respected hard work- in himself and in others.

He was a friend to all he met. He has left a void in our hearts.

Survived by Sharon, his wife of 52 years, his children Michael (Rachel), Kate (Ed), Matthew and Annie, his grandchildren Lily, Eli, Julia, Rory and Noah, and his very favorite sister, Barbara.

He was preceded in death by his parents Kenneth and Virginia and his grandson Miles.

Rosary & Visitation  Thur. Dec 29, 2022, 5:30- 8:00 PM Amos Family Funeral Home, 10901 Johnson Dr. Shawnee KS

Funeral  Fri Dec 30, 2022, 10:00 AM  11311 Johnson Dr. Shawnee KS

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Patrick’s name to one of the following:

The McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center

1832 Arboretum Dr. McKeesport PA 15132

Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 243

P.O. Box 2164

Lee’s Summit, MO 64063-2164