Dr. Bruce G. Campbell

1951-2008

Dr. Bruce G. Campbell died peacefully at home with his loving wife by his side on April 4, 2008 after a long courageous battle with complications from diabetes.  Bruce was born on December 29, 1951 to John and Eleanor (Stelzer) Campbell in Chicago Illinois. He attended Homewood Flossmoor High School in Flossmoor Illinois. Bruce was a life long die hard Chicago Cubs fan and continued his love of the Cubs no matter where he lived. Bruce received his bachelor’s degree at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale Illinois. He continued his education at Northwestern Medical School in Chicago Illinois where he received his medical degree in 1978. His residency was completed in family medicine in Rockford Illinois. In 1981 he began private practice at Morton Family Practice with his best friend from medical school, David J. Schlagheck, MD. His love of the mountains and fishing brought him to join a family practice partnership in Rupert Idaho in 1983. It was in Rupert that he met the love of his life, Joni Jerin. They were married July 14, 1984 at St Johns Lutheran Church in Helena Montana.

In 1985 Bruce and Joni moved to Cody Wyoming, where Bruce joined Cody Family Practice. His love of geriatrics led him to also be  Medical Director of the West Park Long Term Care Center. He was president of the Wyoming Academy of Family Practice from 1995 to 1996 and he spent part of 1 summer as the physician at Mammoth Clinic in Yellowstone Park. Bruce’s greatest joy was the birth of his two wonderful daughters, Lauren and Christine in Cody. He was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where he was president of the council, president of the building committee, and taught Vacation Bible School.  Cody’s close proximity to Yellowstone National Park allowed Bruce the joy of fishing, camping and hiking. His devotion to geriatric medicine and desire to teach medicine led him to leave Cody to accept a Geriatric Fellowship and Family Practice Faculty Development Fellowship at the University of Arizona, Tucson Arizona from Sept 1997 to June 1998.

His desire to teach brought him to Billings Montana. He joined the faculty of Montana Family Practice Residency program, where in 2007 he was honored with the Outstanding Faculty Teacher Award, he was Medical Director and received the Director’s Award in 2006. During several summers he taught the geriatrics portion of the Physicians Assistant’s Program at Rocky Mountain College. He was Associate Medical Director of Big Sky Hospice and Co-Administrator of Rocky Mountain Hospice. He was also medical director of the Evergreen /Ponderosa Pine Nursing Home and Eagle Cliff Manor. 

He was a member of American Medical Association, American Academy of Family Physicians, Montana Academy of Family Physicians, American Geriatrics Society, Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, American Medical Director’s Association, Montana Medical Directors Association and Montana Gerontology Society. 

His fondest memories were spent camping and fishing with his family in the mountains of Montana and Wyoming.

Although Bruce was quiet and somewhat shy this reflected his contemplative nature. He had the highest ethical and moral standards. His family meant everything to him and he was a kind and loving husband.  He was a beloved son and brother, and a dedicated and conscientious physician. Bruce’s presence will be greatly missed not only by his family, but friends, clinicians and the many patients who loved him.

Bruce was a member of King of Glory Lutheran Church. Bruce is survived by his wife of 23 years, Joni, daughters, Lauren and Christine, mother Eleanor Campbell of Orland Park, Illinois, sister Ruth of Orland Park Illinois, brother Rich of Orland Park Illinois; and his children Chris, Ryan, Carrie and Brett, brother Scott (Naira) and their children Anahit and John of Louisville KY, sister Karen (Mike) of Chicago Heights Illinois, and mother in law, Bessie Jerin of Helena Montana.  He was preceded in death by his grandparents and his father John Campbell.

Visitation will be held Monday, April 7, 2008 from 6:00PM to 8:00PM at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary. A Memorial service celebrating his life will be held at King of Glory Lutheran Church on Wednesday April 9, 2008 at 11:00AM. Memorials may be sent to Rocky Mountain Hospice, King of Glory Lutheran Church, or the charity of your choice.  Joni would like to express her appreciation to her many friends and Rocky Mountain Hospice for their help in caring for him. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials would be greatly welcomed at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Big Sky Hospice or the Charity of your choice.