Robert Campbell

Robert A. Campbell, age 87, passed away unexpectedly on November 23, 2022 at Prairie Lakes Hospital.  Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, December 2, 2022, at Cornerstone United Methodist Church in Watertown.  Rev. Steve Anderson will officiate.  

Visitation will be at the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown on Thursday, December 1, 2022 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. and prior to services at the church on Friday.

Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Watertown at a later date. Pallbearers will be Jeff Hegge, Joe Hegge, Christopher Campbell, Brandon Campbell , Ryan Sanden and Bryce Bleeker.

He was born on April 11, 1935, to Arthur and Esther (Bardwell) Campbell at Watertown, SD. He went to school in Watertown, graduating from Watertown High School in 1954. Robert married his high school sweetheart, Reeva Daily, in May 1953. To this union there were nine children born. She passed in May 2001. He knew his role to keep the family together was more necessary now, without her by his side. The family continues to grow, keeping the Campbell family legacy strong.

He wrote in his journal every day and his volumes of journals will be a legacy to treasure forever. He had the best artistic handwriting.

He was a faithful member of Cornerstone United Methodist Church. He always felt he was blessed with more than he deserved. He knew his life was a blessing from God.

Robert worked for the Watertown Public Opinion for over 50 years, beginning as a paper delivery boy and working his way up to the pressroom.  His passion was his family. He enjoyed any reason to get the family together. He dabbled a bit in real estate, building the Mall View Court apartments. He could always be found drawing plans for another idea which resulted in building two more homes. His second passion was going to auction sales. He always loved a good bargain and enjoyed the comradery it brought. There was always an auction hand bill laying around.

In his retirement life, he enjoyed tinkering around his farmstead and his daily gathering of his coffee friends. Together, they knew how to solve the world’s problems. He loved them and their conversations.

Robert is survived by sons, Jim (Laura) Campbell of Castlewood; and Scott (Carol) Campbell, Watertown; daughters, Mary (Doug) Riley; Laurie (Rodney) Bleeker; Bonnie (Alan) Hegge; Melanie (Mark) Sanden; Monica (Roger) Ries; and Sherry (Terry) Janssen all of Watertown; 26 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents; his wife (Reeva); infant daughter Conny Rae; and sisters Phyllis Pollard and Virginia Magnuson; and a special family friend Roger Benthin.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel   www.crawfordosthus.com

Watertown, Hayti, De Smet, Bryant

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