April 23, 1944-April 18, 2014
Pacific Grove, CA - John Campbell, 69 ,passed away at Pacific Grove
Convalescent Hospital on Friday, April 18,2014.
John was born to John Campbell and Ruth Hawker Campbell in Pittsburgh, PA
and was raised in Waynesboro, PA., a small rural town near the Maryland border.
John graduated from Waynesboro Area Senior High School where he served as the
senior class president. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Duke University
and a MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
John was working in New York City in 1968 when he received a phone call from
Bud Wilkinson asking him to come to Washington D.C. for an interview. Bud
Wilkinson, the legendary football coach from the University of Oklahoma, was serving
as one of President Nixon's counselors. Although Jay Wilkinson, Bud's son, had been
a good friend at Duke, John was surprised by the call. After the interview he was
delighted to receive a call inviting him to join Bud's group as a staff assistant. John
accepted and immediately moved to Washington where, in January, 1969 he was sworn
in as a member of the White House staff.
In the fall of 1969 President Nixon established a Domestic Affairs Council and
appointed John Erhlichman as its head. John Campbell was recruited by John
Erhlichman to be Staff Secretary for the Council. As Staff Secretary John was
responsible for the administrative operations and to coordinate the flow of position
papers on all domestic issues. John had an incredible amount of energy and as a result
was nicknamed by some of his fellow staffers as "the energizer bunny." John served in
the White House until 1973.
During his time in the White House he met fellow staffer, Jane Dart. They were
married in Pebble Beach in 1972. After completing his Washington service he and
Jane relocated to Westwood, CA., later moving to Pebble Beach.
Jane's father, Justin Dart, was a member of Ronald Reagan's "Kitchen
Cabinet." One of John's many acquaintances from his Washington years was the
noted economist, Arthur Laffer whom John introduced to Justin Dart, who in turn
introduced him to Ronald Regan. As a result, Arthur Laffer became an influential
economics advisor to the future President of the United States.
John and Jane grew apart and were divorced. John relocated to Los Angeles for
several years where he followed a consulting career. He later returned to the Monterey
Peninsula residing at Del Mesa Carmel.
John was an avid golfer dating back to his early years in Waynesboro where he
caddied at the local golf course. John was a member of both the Los Angeles Country
Club and the Cypress Point Club in Pebble Beach. In addition to his golf memberships,
John was a member of the Old Capitol club in Monterey. John valued all the
friendships that he developed through his life. Wherever he was John made friends. He
maintained his interest in current political and economic affairs and frequently
distributed interesting articles to his friends.
In 2011 John was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. During his illness John
received enormous support from a close group of his friends at Del Mesa Carmel. John
would have wanted to thank those friends as well as the care providers at Peggy's
Home Care, Villa Mirage and Pacific Grove Convalescent Hospital. John was
especially fond of the staff at the Monterey Alzheimer's Association where he attended
weekly support groups. John's friends would like to thank Patricia Cooney, John's
Conservator, who managed his affairs so professionally and treated him with
compassion and warmth.
John is survived by a brother, Richard of Loretto, PA and his maternal uncle
and aunt, George and Ruth Hawker of Oakmont, PA.
There will be a private burial. Memorial contributions may be made to the
Alzheimer's Association, 21 Lower Ragsdale Drive, Suite B, Monterey, CA 93940. or
your favorite charity.
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