Funeral services were held Monday at St. John’s Catholic Church in Omaha for Dr. William “Bill” Campbell, 92, retired superintendent of the Glenwood Resource Center (GRC). He died Nov. 4 in Council Bluffs.
Campbell, who worked at the GRC (formerly known as the Glenwood State Hospital - School) for over 50 years before his retirement in 2004, was recognized as an advocate for persons with disabilities during the 35 years he served as superintendent of the facility that houses and treats residents with profound physical and mental disabilities.
By spearheading the construction of more than three dozen residential living cottages for clients living on the GRC campus in the early 1970s, Campbell played an instrumental role in removing the “institution” and “asylum” stigmas associated with the state-managed facility at the time.
As downsizing of the state hospital-school took place in the 1980s and 1990s, Campbell worked with community leaders to help bring other public entities, including the Mills County Public Health Office and Glenwood Community School District, onto the GRC site to occupy vacated buildings and turn the campus into a true “resource center.” The name of the facility was formally changed to the Glenwood Resource Center in 2000.
In an interview at the time of his retirement, Campbell said he was most proud of the improvements in treatments and services for GRC residents that took place under his watch that began in 1969.
“We worked hard together, laughed at times and cried some times as we led the people we love from dormitory group living, dining, bathing and recreating to environments of normal home living,” Campbell said. “As we radically improved the environment, we made similar gains in the treatment arena.
“We can count in the thousands, persons who couldn’t walk well, who now can; who couldn’t eat and swallow normally, who now can; who were previously routinely restrained who are now totally free of programmatic restraint; who suffered all manners of complex health problems, who are now much more functional. For tens of thousands, we have provided dignity while improving the quality of their lives.”
Sybil Finken, the mother of a GRC client and an advocate for persons with disabilities, praised Campbell for the vision and compassion he exhibited during his tenure as superintendent.
“Obviously, no one has ever been or will ever be able to fill Dr. Campbell’s shoes,” she said. “He was a brilliant man who cared deeply for the individuals who make their home on the GRC campus and also for the staff who have dedicated their careers to caring for them.”
Finken said Dr. Vilia Tarvydas of the University of Iowa, a specialist in mental and behavioral health rehabilitation who served on the On With Life Board of Directors with Campbell, said it best:
“Dr. Campbell was full of intellect, spirit and good will. His legacy is the betterment of many people. We will miss him . . .”
A Kansas City native, Campbell served in the U.S. Army from, 1944-1946. His medical career began when the army singled him out for a special training program that took him to the University of Nebraska and University of Michigan. The training served as a foundation to his career as a psychologist and administrator. He earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Iowa, a masters’ degree and Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Nebraska, and a master’s degree in health and administration from the Brooke Army Medical Center at Baylor University in Texas.
Campbell was an avid bridge player and accomplished singer and marathon runner. Following his retirement, he remained active in his community in many ways, including serving on the Glenwood Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, On With Life Board of Directors and Glenwood Tree Board.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Jo, and is survived by his sons, Greg Campbell of Pacific Junction, Steve Campbell and wife Genelle of Glenwood, and Doug Campbell of Glenwood; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. A complete obituary is published on page 2A.
