David Campbell's Obituary

CAMPBELL, JOHN DAVID John Campbell, known to friends and family as Dave, passed away at home at the age of 77 on January 18, 2010. He was born in Elysburg, Pennsylvania on June 20, 1932 to William and Hazel Campbell. Dave lived in the San Diego area since 1955. Dave was a graduate of Ridley Township High School in suburban Philadelphia in 1950. He went on to graduate from the United States Naval Academy in 1954. He graduated from Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Florida and received his Navy Wings of Gold, becoming a Naval Aviator in May of 1955. After graduation, Dave joined the VF-124 All Weather Fighter Squadron based at Naval Air Station Miramar, flying the new F3H 2N Demons. Dave's squadron was deployed on the USS Lexington in 1957. He helped form the Demon Replacement Airwing Squadron VF-121 in 1958. From 1959 to 1961, Dave attended the United States Naval Post-Graduate School, receiving a BS in Aeronautical Engineering. Assigned to Stanford University for one year, he was awarded an Engineers Degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics. He resigned his commission as a Lieutenant on June 30, 1965. After leaving the Navy, Dave began a career with Ryan Aeronautical where he was the Program Manager for the YQM-98A Compass Cope UAV and AQM-81A Fire Bolt Supersonic Aerial Target. Dave continued with Ryan until his retirement in 1996. Dave was a member of the Naval Academy Alumni Association, the North San Diego County Genealogical Society, the Computer Genealogy Society of San Diego, and the Tiger Software Computer Investment Group. Genealogy and the San Diego Padres were two of his passions. Dave is survived by Ann, his wife of 53 years; his sons: Kevin and wife, Elizabeth of Las Vegas, Scott and wife Susie of Bonita; his daughter, Karen Fritze and her fiancé, Stanley Fingerhut of Arlington Heights, Illinois; his grandchildren, Stephenie and Daniel; his sister, Joan Crow and her husband, Walter of Tucson; and brother Dennis and wife, Janice of Hilton Head, South Carolina. Services are planned for the fall at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery at Miramar. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society .