Van Campbell and Susan Campbell were married for 65 years. The longtime married couple was parents to three daughters, Sara, Jennifer, and Heather.
The former Cornell University athlete had the back of the love of his life, Susan Campbell, at all times until he took his last breath on February 10, 2025.
He passed away peacefully at the age of 86 in the morning at his home in Kiawah Island, South Carolina, surrounded by his loved ones.
It was in Coudersport that Susan first crossed paths with Campbell, who would go on to become her lifelong partner. Eventually, their love grew into a meaningful connection.
Campbell and Susan raised a tight-knit family of five members. They were blessed with three daughters: Sara, Jennifer, and Heather.
It was his mother, Kathleen, who took up the mantle of raising Van Campbell, the only child, as a single mother. Hence, from an early age, he craved belongingness and knew the importance of family unity.
Campbell made his life’s motive to celebrate every moment spent with family and create a home that felt like a safe haven.
Van Campbell Had a Thriving Academic and Athletic Career, Excelling as a Three-Sport Athlete and Becoming Corning Inc.’s VP!
Born on November 12th, 1938, in Charleston, West Virginia, to parents Kathleen and Fred Campbell, Van spent his early years in Coudersport, Pennsylvania.
Inclined towards sports from an early age, Campbell’s talents shone early as he pitched in the Little League World Series. In fact, he was among the first in his town to take the SAT.
It was also during these formative years that he met Susan Howard Campbell, who would become the love of his life and his wife of 65 years.
Van Campbell attended Cornell University, where he became a three-sport athlete. He excelled in football, basketball, and baseball.
He thrived academically, let alone in sports. Matching his academic success to athletic skills, Van Campbell graduated from Cornell University with high honors.
Given Campbell’s thriving academics and athletic skills, his acceptance into Harvard Business School was unsurprising.
Above all, he acquired a Baker Scholar, one of the highest honors awarded to graduates, and he was even accepted into Harvard.
Campbell had an equally impressive professional journey, spending over three decades, 35 to be precise, at Corning Inc.
He began his career at Corning in 1964 as a financial analyst. Over his tenure, Campbell held various financial and operational roles, serving 26 years as an officer.
Campbell rose through the ranks to become Vice Chairman of Finance and Administration and concluded his 35-year career at Corning Inc. in that same position, retiring on May 1, 1999.
His leadership extended beyond Corning Inc.; Campbell served on the boards of Dow Corning Corporation, Armstrong World Industries, Market Street Trust Company, Quest Diagnostics, and various academic institutions.
Not to forget, Campbell was a golf lover and played golf lifelong. He was a founding member of Briars Creek Country Club in South Carolina.
He won numerous tournaments and played a major role in bringing an LPGA tournament to Corning, New York.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- In addition to his wife Susan and three daughters, Campbell left behind his nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
- Van Campbell was also into philanthropy. He contributed through organizations such as the Corning Foundation, the Corning Museum of Glass, the Rockwell Museum, the Gibbes Museum, and the Charleston Library Society.
