CCEF Director Emeritus, CCSNA Past Trustee, CCEF Past Director
Doctor Frederick "Dr. Fred" Walter Campbell Jr., M.D., age 83, of Wesley Chapel, Florida, passed away peacefully at his home on January 13, 2024. He was devotedly cared for by his wife of 36 years, Cynthia Sue Anderson Campbell, throughout his extended illness.
Born in Frankfort, Indiana, on September 6, 1940, to Irma Mae Biggs and Judge Frederick Walter Campbell Sr., Fred grew up with a deep love of learning and a strong independent spirit. As a child, he preferred solitary pursuits—reading, exploring amateur ham radio, and spending treasured time with his father. Known affectionately as “Freddy,” he was well recognized in Frankfort due to his father’s prominent role as county judge, and the community watched him closely as he navigated childhood with curiosity and mischief.
Fred’s teenage years were marked by a sense of adventure, including several memorable escorts home by local police who knew his father well. Despite these youthful escapades, he developed into a thoughtful, inquisitive young man shaped profoundly by long conversations with his father during trips to their cabin on Lake Michigan. These discussions—ranging from morality and religion to current events—instilled in him a lifelong love of debate and critical thinking.
At age 12, Fred’s father encouraged his independence by allowing him to travel alone by train to Chicago on weekends. There, Fred immersed himself in museums, architecture, ethnic cuisine, and conversations with strangers. His fascination with Chinatown and the city’s cultural diversity sparked a passion for travel, self‑reliance, and exploration that would follow him throughout his life.
Fred’s early interests included amateur radio, and at age 14 he became a part‑time announcer for a local Frankfort radio station. His rich voice made him a natural broadcaster, though his father delighted in teasing him about occasional on‑air mispronunciations.
Although Fred sometimes felt drawn toward business, his career path ultimately followed the influence of two beloved physician relatives—Uncle Ike and Uncle Leo. He discovered a unique strength in connecting people with shared interests, serving as a natural liaison in both personal and professional spheres.
Fred’s favorite childhood song was “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” He cherished Phantom of the Opera, the music of Sarah Brightman, and most opera. “Lady in Red” and the film Somewhere in Time held special meaning as tributes to his wife. Fred and Cynthia met at University Hospital in Tampa in 1979 while she was a student nurse. Near the end of his life, when asked if he had been happy in their marriage, he replied, “My life did not even start until I met you.”
His favorite films included Brigadoon and The Sound of Music, and his favorite books were Rhymes of Childhood: The Poems and Prose Sketches by James Whitcomb Riley and The Bears of Blue River by Charles Major.
Fred earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Purdue University and his Doctor of Medicine from Indiana University, specializing in Internal Medicine with a subspecialty in Nephrology. He served as a Major in the United States Air Force Regional Hospital in Carswell, Texas, later joining the University of South Florida College of Medicine as a Clinical Assistant Professor in Internal Medicine, Section of Nephrology. He continued his military service in the Air Force Reserves at MacDill Air Force Base from 1970–72 and was honorably discharged on November 2, 1987.
Throughout his distinguished career, Fred held numerous leadership roles, including Medical Director of the Hemodialysis Unit at University Community Hospital, Medical Director of Kidney Care of Florida, and Senior Aviation Medical Examiner for the Federal Aviation Administration. He was instrumental in founding Kidney Care, advocating for improved dialysis environments and helping establish outpatient clinics across the Tampa Bay region.
His training in Internal Medicine and Nephrology, combined with his Air Force background, made him one of the most sought‑after flight surgeons in the nation.
Fred’s passions extended far beyond medicine. He was deeply interested in ancient history, genealogy, video production, and archaeology. His close friendship with renowned underwater archaeologist Dr. George Bass led to meaningful contributions to Texas A&M University and the Institute of Nautical Archaeology (INA). In 1992, Fred and his family were honored guests aboard INA’s research vessel Virazon, witnessing Bronze Age artifacts being raised from the Mediterranean near Uluburun, Turkey.
"Dr. Fred", as he was known in the Clan Campbell Society, also collaborated with Diarmid A. Campbell, Esq., Alastair Lorne Campbell of Airds, Esq., and Duncan Beaton, OBM, all of Argyll Scotland, to produce educational videos for Inveraray Castle in Scotland and contributed to the North American Society’s Journal of the Clan Campbell Society. Dr. Fred maintained friendships with Ian Campbell, the 12th Duke of Argyll, his wife Iona Mary Colquhoun, and their son, Torquhil Campbell, the 13th Duke of Argyll. His Grace lived at Dr. Fred's Florida home for a time during his formative years. Have you ever noticed the Duke's son Lord Archie Frederick Campbell, Marquess of Lorne's middle name... coincidence? Food for thought, but it is the first time that particular name has appeared in the Chiefly Argyll line... ever.
During his active years with the Clan Campbell Society and the Clan Campbell Education Foundation, he was a much respected, appreciated, and admired kinsman. His advice and consul were frequently sought and was freely given. His contributions to the early development of the Clan Campbell Education Foundation were impactful. He is greatly missed and most warmly remembered by his Clansmen. We are greater for knowing him, and lesser for his passing.
President's Award 1998 Awarded to Dr. Frederick W. Campbell, Jr.
"The Society is fortunate to have a friend in producing video tapes. Using his high quality videotaping equipment Dr. Campbell has been primarily responsible for producing our current Clan Campbell history lecture videotapes. In addition, through his generosity, all monies collected from the sale of these videos goes directly to support the Clan Campbell History Project being sponsored by our Clan Campbell Education Association. We owe a great deal to the efforts and generosity of this exceptional member of our Society. It gives me great pleasure in awarding the President's Award 1998 to Dr. Frederick W. Campbell. Presentation by David R. Campbell, President, Clan Campbell Society (North America)." Journal of the Clan Campbell Society (North America), vol. 25 no. 4, p. 15, Autumn 1998
Dr. Campbell actually, saved the life of a member of the Board of Trustees when he insisted an alternative cancer treatment would extend his life. He made the trip to South Florida to visit Dr. Fred and the treatment did indeed extend his life... by about 25 years. Long enough for the Trustee to see his grand-Campbells reach adulthood.
Fred and Cynthia raised five daughters—Brandi Monique Johnson (Ryan), Danielle Margaret Williamson (Eugene Curtis), Laura Campbell‑Antoine (Dale), Sarah Elizabeth Grace Campbell, and Emma Alexandra Horton (Michael)—all of whom pursued careers in the sciences. He also cherished two stepchildren, Kimberly Bradley and Kent Bradley, and ten grandchildren: Kirsten, Payden, Wyatt, Madeline, Grace, Whitney, Nora, Cale, Henry, and Annabelle, along with great‑grandchild Reid.
He is survived by his first cousin John Anderson and extended family in Texas, as well as cousin Ralph Bline. His close friends included Andrea and Bill Nye, Cindy and Mike Fettig, Dulce and Roy Thorton, Robin Cooper, Jim Webb, James Chafin, and David Sheremeta. He will also be missed by his extended family: Donna and Kenneth Moody and their children, Deborah Hare and her family, and Robin and Craig Bell.
Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Irma Mae Biggs and The Honorable Frederick Walter Campbell, Sr., Esq.
Fred will be remembered as generous, humorous, charming, intelligent, well‑traveled, and deeply respected. His patients admired him not only as a physician but as a friend. His legacy endures through his family, his contributions to medicine, his support of archaeological discovery, and the countless lives he touched.
OBITUARY - Dr. Fred Campbell