Robert James Campbell, known in the Port Angeles community affectionately as SpongeBob, passed peacefully early in the morning of March 21, 2021. Although he died from the effects of Lewy Body dementia, he remained himself to the very end and never lost his sense of humor.

Born April 29, 1944, in Chateaugay, NY, to Carolyn and James Campbell, Bob grew up on a dairy farm and later went to college in Michigan's upper peninsula to study metallurgical engineering. He spent over thirty years in the foundry industry, working throughout the Midwest: Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.

In his later fifties, Bob decided to get out of the foundry business and go back to school. By chance he ended up at Peninsula College in Port Angeles and found himself drawn to the fisheries program. While going through the program, he started working at the Feiro Marine Life Center (FMLC), which was then connected to the college. As the future of the lab was in limbo, Bob took on the role of keeping everything running while its fate was decided. And he stayed on once the lab became a nonprofit, separate from the college.

Over the course of fifteen years as facilities director, up until his retirement in 2016, he built tanks, collected critters, cleaned pumps, fixed plumbing at all hours of the day and night, trained volunteers, and worked with hundreds of school kids throughout the northern Peninsula. Bob was born to be an educator and he loved this part of his work.

In addition to his work at Feiro, Bob was involved with Clallam County Marine Resources Committee, Streamkeepers of Clallam County, and the Northwest Marine Mammal Stranding Network. In 2012, Bob was one of four area residents recognized by the Puget Sound Partnership as a Puget Sound Champion for his work in stewardship and education.

Bob is survived by daughter Kay and son-in-law Geoff; son Jim and his partner Dagny; son Tom and his partner Tambria; former spouse and close friend, Kate; two grandsons, Bodhi and Casey; five siblings; and his aunt along with nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.

A scholarship through the Feiro Marine Life Center has been established in his name for students from the northern Olympic Peninsula studying the natural sciences and particularly marine biology. Contributions of any size can be made to Feiro Marine Life Center (PO Box 625, Port Angeles, WA 98362) specifying the Robert J. Campbell Scholarship.

Bob's family would like to thank the Feiro community and the staff at Highland Court Memory Care for their loving care and support. A memorial service will be planned for later 2021 or 2022 and announced through FMLC.

Sunday, July 24th 3:00pm Ennis Arbor Farm 2238 E. Lindberg Rd., Port Angeles
Follow signs on north driveway to turn right where gravel ends, park in meadow, enter nearby gate.
*In these times of COVID uncertainties, we all know there seems to be no such thing as total protection from the very transmissible new variants, but we hope the outdoor location and following requests will help people feel comfortable about joining us. We encourage those who come to stay masked and socially distant even though all activities will be in the open air. Masks will be available on site. We will have some chairs available, but if you are able to bring your own lawn chairs, that would be greatly appreciated.

Drennan & Ford Funeral Home in Port Angeles was entrusted with his arrangements. Please sign the online guestbook for his family at www.drennanford.com .