bout de papier, Vol. 23, No. 2 (2007) — Fall 2007 // Automne 2007, p. 38
Ross Campbell, O.C., D.S.C, was born in Toronto on November 4, 1918. He graduated from the Faculty of Law, University of Toronto, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. In 1940, he volunteered for service with the Royal Canadian Navy, on loan to the Royal Navy. He took part in two North African invasions and in others in Italy, Greece and Normandy, and as a Lieutenant Commander was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross by King George VI in 1944 for actions in motor torpedo boats.
Ross joined the External Affairs Department in 1945, serving first in diplomatic posts in Norway, Denmark and Turkey. In Ottawa he held several senior positions
– head of the Middle East Division, special assistant to the Minister and Assistant Under- Secretary of State for External Affairs responsible for NATO, NORAD, the UN, and peacekeeping. He was also Canada’s Ambassador to Yugoslavia, Algeria, NATO (Paris and Brussels), Korea and Japan. As Ambassador to NATO, Ross successfully fought against some members of Cabinet who thought we should get out of NATO. He was a frequent lecturer at the National Defence College, Kingston, Canadian Forces Staff College, Toronto, and NATO Defence College, Rome. Following a distinguished 30-year diplomatic career, he became Chairman of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) from 1975-80. Ross played a major role in nuclear power, helping to sell CANDU reactors. After leaving AECL he was an advisor to business and industrial clients at home and abroad. He was a founder of and partner in InterCon Consultants, from 1983 to 2007. Ross also enjoyed memberships in various organizations including the Rideau Club, of which he was a Life Member. He was also a member of the senior editorial board of bout de papier. In 2003, he was inducted into the Canadian Veterans’ Hall of Honour. On May 4, 2007, Ross was invested as an Officer of the Order of Canada. A funeral took place on Thursday, August 23, 2007, at Christ Church (Anglican) Aylmer, Quebec.
The following in memoriam was read by retired ambassador Jake Warren at the service.
No ordinary man,
A remarkable man,
A man of primary colours,
A unique and extraordinary man.
A lively life, lived to the full,
Leaving a trail of tasks well done,
Challenges met and overcome.
Strong of will and of convictions,
Formidable in close debate when
serious issues were at stake,
—Always punched above his weight!
A proud and passionate Canadian,
Decorated for bravery and leadership
in World War II,
Honoured for his many years of
exceptional achievements as a
diplomat and senior public servant,
And pioneer promoter of the Canadian
nuclear power system (CANDU).
We all rejoice in the public recognition
of Ross’s contribution to our
national life.
A patriarchal family man, generous
and caring for his kin,
Steadfast and loyal to colleagues and
friends for whom he always had a
helping hand when need arose,
An exemplar of the best Canadian
qualities and traditions,
A true gentleman.
In these few remarks of tribute and farewell, I hope that Pippa and the family will forgive me if I borrow and depart a little from the familiar poetic words of Masefield and Tennyson. (But thinking of Ross, I’m afraid I couldn’t resist!)
I must go down to the sea again,
To the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a good crew, a fast
boat,
And a wheel to steer her by.
And I will feel again the surge of
power ’neath the keel,
As we stalk, find and attack the target
foe.
And then, as darkness wanes, break
and run for harbour-home.
Re-arm, refuel and re-supply, ready
for the next sortie.
That was long ago, but such memories
do not fade.
Now Ross, your last good fight, the
fight for life, has come and gone.
As always, you stayed the course until
the very end.
Sunlight and evening star and one
clear call for thee,
And may there be no moaning at the
bar,
As you put out to sea.
Adieu, old comrade,
Sayonara dear friend.
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Originally published in bout de papier, Vol. 23, No. 2 (2007) — Fall 2007 // Automne 2007, p. 38. Read the rest of this issue →
