J. Melfort Campbell, 98, Lake Forest

It is with heavy hearts and immense gratitude for God’s gift of our extraordinary father — J. Melfort Campbell — that we respectfully share his peaceful passing on May 22, 2023 at the age of 98. Our beloved father earned his angel’s wings for his daily commitment to exemplary life choices — faith, family, kindness, humility, selflessness, loyalty, stoicism, character, and integrity.

Our adored father was born on April 18, 1925 in Stirling, Scotland. The only son of Captain James Haldane Adair Campbell of Scotland and Princess Catherine Galitzine of Russia.

Throughout his formative years, starting at the age of 8 years old, he attended an English boarding school, Radley College in Oxfordshire. Following, he attended Trinity College, Oxford University where he received a Master’s-equivalent degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics. His love of language, history, and geography led him to a thirty-five year career at Allstate Insurance Company of Northbrook. IL. As President of Allstate International, he traveled the world, opening several global offices including in Mexico, Switzerland, and Japan. After an early retirement, Melfort worked for the Commercial Club of Chicago.

Before leaving the country he loved for the United States, he served in the British Royal Navy during WWII, entering at the tender age of 17. As a young and brave naval officer, his boat was torpedoed and partially sunk off the coast of Wales. He landed back in England on survivor’s leave; and attended ‘A Survivors’ Ball’ where he met the King of England and danced with his daughter, the future Queen Elizabeth II.

Upon arrival in the U.S., he worked for a year at the famed Scribner’s Bookstore on 5th Avenue in New York City. As fate would have it, Melfort would visit his aunt, Aleka Romanoff Armour, and his uncle, Nicholas Galitizine, in a small midwestern suburb of Chicago –Lake Forest, IL. While visiting, he met his beloved wife of 56 years, Barbara Hubbard Campbell, who lived next door to his Uncle Nick Galitzine. He would marry, raise three children, and live the rest of his life there. To honor and share his love for both of his countries, he wrote his life story Red, White & Blue: The Colors of My Countries.

Melfort is survived by his three children James Otis (Mary) Campbell, Nicholas Melfort (Julie) Campbell, and Turia Campbell (John) Gumpert.

We are forever grateful that Melfort’s legacy lives on in his nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren — his pride and joy. Tara (Patrick) Canniff, Tessa (Cristian) Araque, Sasha (Bryan) Houlihan, Alexa Campbell, Kelly (James) Clark, Gordon Campbell, Andrew Campbell, Whitney Gumpert and Ashley Gumpert. And, great-grandchildren, Rory and Owen Canniff, Lucy Houlihan, and Rio Araque.

Melfort’s civic mindedness led to a life of giving back to organizations he loved most, including, serving on the Boards of: Chicago Botanic Garden, First National Bank of Lake Forest (Northern Trust); and Lake Forest Hospital.

His passion was golf and the clubs that he loved, including: Onwentsia Club of Lake Forest, where he was the longest serving member in club history, over 70 years; Old Elm Club of Lake Forest; Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (Scotland); and Riomar Country Club of Vero Beach. At the age of 90, he was still shooting his age. His love of playing golf, especially with family, will be forever etched in our hearts and memories.

Forever remembered, forever loved, forever honored…we celebrate the life of our hero, our father, today and all the days to come. Enjoy all your rounds of golf in perpetuity in Heaven, you’ve earned them.

We love you, Dad and Grampy.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Chicago Botanic Garden: Attn: Tribute Gifts; Chicago Botanic Garden; 1000 Lake Cook Road; Glencoe, IL 60022.

Info: Wenban Funeral Home 847-234-0022 or www.wenbanfh.com.