Described by colleagues as a tireless thinker, true friend and
mentor, UCLA Professor Emeritus Russell Campbell died Friday
morning in his home. He was 75.
Campbell worked and researched in the field of applied
linguistics, and was remembered for his numerous contributions in
creating and implementing language programs both in the United
States and abroad.
Donna Brinton, a colleague in the Department of Applied
Linguistics and TESL, said Campbell was always enthusiastic and
constantly tried to get his colleagues involved with various
language programs.
Brinton said it was Campbell who convinced her to travel with
him to Korea, twice, to do teacher training programs.
“He was infectious in terms of his enthusiasm for
everything that had to do with applied linguistics,” Brinton
said. “He was just that kind of person that could convince
you that any venture was a worthwhile venture and that you should
become a part of them.”
Kathryn Paul, another colleague and a close friend, added that
Campbell was instrumental in the development of many overseas UCLA
language programs.
Paul said Campbell, who loved traveling and culture, lived in
many different countries, including Egypt, Argentina, Thailand and
Costa Rica.
Born in Illinois, Campbell grew up in Kansas and received his
Ph.D from the University of Michigan in 1964. Beginning in 1964,
Campbell served for 27 years as a UCLA professor in the Department
of Applied Linguistics and Teaching English as a Second Language.
He became chairman of the first TESL Department in 1979.
Campbell was named director of the UCLA Language Resource Center
in 1986. He served on the editorial board of the Heritage Language
Journal, a journal jointly published by the Language Resource
Center and the UC Consortium for Language Learning and
Teaching.
Later, Campbell served as director of the UCLA Center for
Language Education and Research and acting director of the UCLA
Center of Pacific Rim Studies.
He was named dean of the English Department of the American
University of Armenia in 1990.
Even after his retirement as a UCLA professor in 1991,
colleagues said Campbell was intimately involved in the Applied
Linguistics and TESL Department, participating on committees
dedicated to helping students earn their degrees in the graduate
program.
Paul said as a colleague, Campbell’s personality was in no
way overshadowed by his academic achievement and hard work.
“He was generous, especially with his time, to
everybody,” Paul said. “He was just kind to everybody
““ he never had a bad word to say about anybody.”
Outside of the academic arena, Paul said Campbell was an avid
bird-watcher and a devoted fan of UCLA basketball.
Campbell was survived by his wife Marge, his two children, Paula
and Roger, and grandchildren.