Malcolm Oliver Campbell, known to his many friends and family as Mo, died on Dec. 20 at his home in Newton Centre, Mass. He was 90.
He was born in Berkeley, Calif., on Feb. 1, 1924. When Mo was four, the family moved to Fairhope, Ala., so the four Campbell boys could attend the School of Organic Education. The school encouraged independent thinking, imagination and creativity, and throughout his long life, he found imaginative ways to help others.
After graduation from the Organic School, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He was a pilot in the Army Air Corps, and received his wings as a second lieutenant. In the final days of his Army time, he piloted a plane, towing gliders in preparation for the invasion of Japan. When the atom bomb dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan surrendered. He stayed in the Army Reserves, and was honorably discharged in 1957.
Following his older brother Richard, who had returned to college after the war, in 1946 he enrolled at Guilford College in Greensboro, N.C., majoring in physics. Early in his freshman year he became friendly with Jeanne Van Leer, a fellow student who tutored him in French, and they became good friends. He transferred to NYU for his junior year, and returned to Guilford for his final year of college, planning to pursue his interest in science. He and Jeanne were married in 1951.
Instead of science, he began his career in the lab of the Van Leer Chocolate Company, creating formulas for confectioners, bakers and ice cream makers. A small family company, Van Leer chocolate products gained a reputation among nationally known companies, as well as small mom and pop businesses. His motto “Call me if you’re having trouble with the chocolate or the machinery, customer or not, and I’ll be there to help” was an innovation in the confectionery world. He retired as vice president of Van Leer in 1988.
The Campbells moved from Montclair, N.J., to be near family in Newton Centre, Mass., in 2013. His love affair with the Vineyard started in 1966, when the Campbells detoured on their way to Fairhope, accepting an invitation to visit the Island. It was love at first sight. With retirement came time for extended stay on the Vineyard, first in the small house he designed in Chilmark, and then in a home in Vineyard Haven. He and Jeanne sailed the waters of Vineyard Sound, canoed the ponds, and walked the beaches together, often trailed by two dogs.
In the winters they traveled widely. Mo had visited every state, 30 countries, and every continent except Australia, and traveled twice to Iceland, the last time when he was 87. He printed and framed the photographs taken by Jeanne for gallery display.
Using his long experience with chocolate, he guided his daughter Jan when she opened Chilmark Chocolates in 1984. In the fall of 1985 she turned Chilmark Chocolates over to Mary Beth Grady and Alison Burger, who have run the shop with encouragement by Mo. His knowledge and experience were essential in getting the popular Chocolate Festival started at Featherstone Center for the Arts.
He was predeceased by his parents John and Clara Aust Campbell; his brothers, John of Monteverde, Costa Rica, Richard of San Fernando, Calif., and David of Salem, Ore. After a blissfully happy marriage of 63 years, he is survived by his wife Jeanne Van Leer; daughter Jan Campbell; sons Bruce and Lee, daughter in law Cecilia, grandchildren Rachel and Talia, Benjamin and Frederic, Slater and Annaliese Campbell, and nieces and nephews in Costa Rica.
Contributions in lieu of flowers should be made to Guilford College, 5800 West Friendly avenue, Greensboro, NC, 27410 and organizations of one's choice.
The family is planning for a celebration of Mo’s wonderful long life sometime this summer.
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