Stewart N. Campbell

Born in Benton, Arkansas, on the 21st of March 1931, Stewart moved to Houston and attended Steven F. Austin High School. Graduating first in his class in mechanical engineering at The University of Texas at Austin, Stewart received the Howard Hughes Scholarship for academics in Engineering. He further funded his college education by working for the Bureau of Engineering and was a member of Tau Beta Phi and Phi Tau Sigma.

Stewart worked for Cooper-Bessmer Corporation for thirteen years before co-founding Production Operators, and in 1971, Contract Compression. After many successful years in the gas compression business, he sold his business interests and devoted his life to his family, friends and passion for fishing.

He served on the boards of the International Game Fishing Association (IGFA), United States Finance and Unicapital. An engineer by training, Stewart was constantly learning, inventing and improving things. He designed and built numerous sport fishing boats and shallow water bay fishing boats.

An avid hunter and angler, Stewart holds over 15 light tackle world records – mostly for Atlantic blue marlin. Through the years, Stewart fished throughout the Caribbean, Bahamas, Venezuela, Brazil, West Africa, the Canary Islands and Australia. He is considered by many to be one of the greatest anglers of all time.

Stewart also enjoyed spending time with his family in Port O’Connor, Texas. “Grumps”, as he was fondly named by his grandchildren, taught each one how to fish, hunt, and practice a strong work ethic.

He is survived by Nickie, his wife of 56 years; daughters Sherri Wood and Carrie Atmar; sons-in-law Dr. Pat Wood and Terry Atmar; and grandchildren Stewart, Hallie and Jack Crawford, Brian Wood, and Erin, Michael and Marie Atmar.

Serving as honorary pallbearers are Terry Atmar, Les Ballard, Jose Luis Bestegui, Pete Boinis, Randy Craft, Carl Doverspike, Captain Bark Garnsey, Randy Harmon, Allen Junek, Roy Merritt, Charles Perry, Paul Pigue, and Dr. Pat Wood.

The family would like to thank Dr. Eric Bernicker, his staff, and all of the fine nurses on the 23rd floor at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital, especially Martha Contreras, R.N..

A memorial service is to be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Monday, the 9th of August, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, where Rev. Jeff Smith of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church is to officiate.

Immediately following the service, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent Grand Foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that donations in Stewart’s name be directed to the IGFA, Coastal Conservation Association, or the Robert S. Braden Endowment at the College of Engineering – The University of Texas at Austin.