Robert Erskine Campbell

CAMPBELL, ROBERT ERSKINE, farmer and automobile salesperson; b. 27 April 1922 in Alberton, son of Keir Fraser Campbell and Eliza Mae Haywood; m. 27 November 1943 Georgie Ona Lewis, and they had eight children, Dianne, David, Donald, Elizabeth, Elda, Gwenda, Robert, and Margaret; Church of the Nazarene; d. 31 May 1992 in Charlottetown. Campbell, a Liberal, was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in the general election of 1962 for Is' Prince. He was re-elected in the general elections of 1966, 1970, 1974, 1978, 1979, 1982, 1986, and 1989. He served as a Minister without Portfolio from November 1966 to 1972. From October 1972 to May 1974, and again from September 1978 to May 1979, Campbell was Minister of Fisheries. He was a member of Treasury Board, a member of Policy Board, and a member of the Welfare Advisory Board. Campbell died while serving as a Member of the Legislative Assembly. Campbell was considered a tireless advocate of his constituents. His loud, impassioned speeches in the Legislature and around the Island earned him the affectionate title of the "Great West Wind," a title in which he took great pride. "Bob" Campbell was educated in the Union School, and served in the Merchant Navy overseas from 1941 to 1942 before he established a farming operation in Alberton. He was a farmer and livestock dealer, specializing in cattle and hogs. In his early career, Campbell sold used cars. He was a trustee of the Alberton Regional High School and of the Elmsdale School, as well as vice-president of the Children's Association for the Mentally Challenged and chair of the Alberton Museum. Campbell was a director of the Prince County Exhibition and was a member of the West Prince Board of Trade. He was also a trustee of the Western Hospital. "Bob" Campbell died 31 May 1992. Georgie Campbell is the daughter of Theodore C. Lewis of Alberton. Elizabeth Campbell married Hector MacLeod*, who served in the Legislative Assembly from 1993 to 2000.