Ronald Burns Campbell Jr. died on July 25 at his home in Edgartown. He was 83.

Known as Sandy, he was born July 12, 1938 in New York city. He grew up there and spent his childhood summers in Colebrook, Conn. He graduated from the Buckley School, Phillips Exeter Academy and Yale University.

Sandy began his career at Sylvania and went on to earn his PhD in engineering and applied mathematics at Harvard University. A true Renaissance man, he also earned an M.A. in English literature from Harvard. He worked at Raytheon for 18 years and then worked as chief technical officer at Xerox, moving his family to Greenwich, Conn. and then to Rochester, N.Y. After retiring from Xerox, he taught in the mechanical engineering department at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he enjoyed teaching design to undergraduates. Most recently, he was working with colleagues to design an innovative solar energy solution.

He loved theater, classical music, fine wine, sailing, following the Red Sox and Patriots, travel and great books. His library overflows both of his homes. His lifelong interest in theater began at Exeter and was nourished through years at the Yale Dramat. A loyal alumnus of all of his schools, he enthusiastically looked forward to all reunions. Always well informed, he read The New York Times and the Boston Globe daily (print version only!), and read The Economist cover to cover.

He was in perpetual motion, building furniture, writing plays, designing additions to his home, messing around with boats and making constant improvements to the Harmony II, and planning trips. He was an expert on the British canals, where he cruised many times, and even volunteered his services on canal restoration projects. He loved planning surprises and throwing parties.

Above all, he loved his Martha’s Vineyard home and his family. He delighted in family gatherings. No family celebration was complete without Sandy unveiling a surprise plan for a trip or unexpected gifts for his wife, children or grandchildren. Whether it was enjoying Red Sox games at Fenway, sailing the waters of the Vineyard, skiing the icy slopes of New England and the powder of Utah, or exploring trails around the world, he brought joy and laughter to his family. His life fulfilled one of his favorite sayings: never a dull moment!

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Betsy Campbell, and his four children: Ronald Burns Campbell 3rd and his wife Susan of Barkhamsted, Conn., Carolyn Haviland Obel-Omia and her husband Michael of Barrington, R.I., David Haviland Campbell and his wife Jennifer of Leyden, and Catherine Campbell Kessler and her husband Nathanael of Concord. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren: Madeline Campbell, Burns Campbell, Jackson Obel-Omia, Elizabeth Obel-Omia, Zachary Obel-Omia, Benjamin Campbell, Theodore Campbell, Chloe Campbell, Alexander Kessler, Caroline Kessler and Charles Kessler; his sister, Rosamond Campbell of Granville, and his brother Michael Campbell of Savannah, Ga. He was predeceased by his infant son, Christopher.

Details of a memorial service to be held at First Parish Church in Sudbury will follow.

Donations can be made to Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation or The ARC of Massachusetts.