Richard W. "Rick" Campbell
The wonderful life of Rick Campbell, age 66 of Mount Lebanon, was cut short when he passed away in St. Clair Hospital on April 25 after a brave battle with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and COVID 19.
Rick was a man of great faith, who used his many talents to live a beautiful life filled with art, music, theater and service to his church and community.
He was the son of Richard and Elizabeth Campbell (deceased), raised in Bethel Park with siblings Robert (Linda) Campbell and Leslie (Nathaniel) Smith. A graduate of Bethel Park High School, where he played in the marching band and played memorable roles in his high school musicals, Rick went on to earn a design degree from Drexel University and worked briefly as a corporate interior designer before joining the family business, Mt. Lebanon Awning.
Rick’s spiritual home was Brightwood Christian Church, where he was baptized at age 13 and went on to make many contributions over his 54 years as a church member. He taught classes and directed Sunday school plays, organizing the Crop Walk and the Live Nativity. Most recently, he served as Vice Moderator for the Board, Co-chair of the Membership Committee, Chairman of the Nominating Committee and held the honorary title of ‘Designer in Chief”, which covered everything from decorating the church for Christmas to designing theme materials for special services.
Rick had a beautiful voice, which he loved to raise in song. In addition to his church choir, he also sang with the Harmony Singers of Pittsburgh, often featured as a soloist. Through the Harmony Singers, he performed with the Pittsburgh Symphony in their Singing City program and at Carnegie Music Hall in New York City. He served several terms as president and designed the sets as well.
Though multi-talented, Rick was perhaps best known for his many years as a member of the Pittsburgh theater community. Beginning as an actor, he quickly became a highly regarded set and costume designer, and went on to direct hundreds of successful productions for many local theaters, including Stage 62, South Park Conservatory Theater, Veronica’s Veil Players, Washington and Jefferson College and Little Lake Theater. A lifelong learner himself, several generations of young performers and stage crew members honed their skills and blossomed under his mentorship and leadership. As a past president of Stage 62, Rick helped to ensure a bright future for the group by shepherding them through tough times and a major move.
Rick made his world a more beautiful place through the artistry he brought to every task, and through his unfailing good humor and sense of fun. He was everybody’s best friend; and he will be dearly missed by his family, friends and the many, many people who loved him.
Rick loved family events and always attended birthdays, graduations and any celebration with his family. Nothing pleased him more than spending time with his relatives.
Nieces and nephews include: Lauren (John) Costello, Ryan (Krista) Campbell, Cristin (Dan) Conlon, Taylor (Mikaela) Smith, and Natalie Smith. Great nieces and great nephews include: Keira, Jack, and Maura Costello, Nolan, Eli and Weston Campbell, Broc and Rhys Conlon.
Family and friends will be received Sunday from 2-8 pm at Paul Henney Cremation & Funeral Tributes, 5570 Library Road, Bethel Park where funeral services will be held Monday, 10:00. Burial will follow at Jefferson Memorial Park.
Memorials suggested to Brightwood Christian Church (Brightwoodchurch.org) or The Harmony Singers of Pittsburgh (http://harmonysingers.org)
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