It was truly a privilege and an honor to have met Joe and to have worked with him on various initiatives at the Milwaukee War Memorial. His humility, generosity, goodness, self-giving, humor, patriotism, work ethic, resilience and love for others made a deep impression on me — as it revealed so much about Joe the person and so much about his fellow veterans. Thank you, Joe, for your example and for modeling so well a life lived for others. God bless you and your family.
Andy Schlidt
Cedarburg, WI
Posted: 1/7/2023
Joe, I considered you a good friend in the welding industry for many years. We enjoyed several memorable dinners at NWSA and Fabtech conventions. It was great fun discussing oldies, and you always seemed to have the upper hand in our little “contests”. I truly feel blessed to have known you, and really hate losing you so soon in this life. I’m certain God has reserved a special place for you in heaven. May you Rest In Peace and enjoy eternal life.
Mike Merlo
New Oxford,, PA
Posted: 4/6/2022
Joe's sister Judy has been a dear friend since 3rd grade. Our houses were back-to-back and I spent many hours at the Campbell house and knew all nine of the siblings and their mom. Joe would have made his parents so proud. Judy has often talked about him over the years. I am pretty sure he was her favorite brother. I am sorry for your loss, but so happy you had a father who was such a hero. The tribute in the Independent was so special to read. May the wonderful memories you have give you comfort.
Maureen Hughes-Phillips
Geneva , IL
Posted: 4/3/2022
Joe's sister Judy has been a dear friend since 3rd grade. Our houses were back-to-back and I spent many hours at the Campbell house and knew all nine of the siblings and their mom. Joe would have made his parents so proud. Judy has often talked about him over the years. I am pretty sure he was her favorite brother. I am sorry for your loss, but so happy you had a father who was such a hero. The tribute in the Independent was so special to read. May the wonderful memories you have give you comfort.
Maureen Hughes-Phillips
Geneva , IL
Posted: 4/3/2022
Thank you Joe for giving me a veteran family again. I will miss seeing your smiling face at WP. Rest in peace!
Rebecca Madsen
Oconomowoc, WI
Posted: 3/12/2022
I am truly blessed to have been called a friend by Joe. He filled my life with joy every time we were together.
Together with our mutual friend Al Garcia we did speaking presentations several times to high school students about our experiences in Vietnam before and after the war. Joe was a most powerful speaker and had a commanding presence whenever he spoke. Actually he was a hard act to follow. We enjoyed many good times together and those memories will be cherished forever. Joe ALWAYS had a lending hand to whatever endeavor anyone asked him to be a part of. He will always be an inspiration to anyone who knew him.
May God Bless and keep you my dear friend until we meet again Rest in Peace with the Lord.
Your friend,
Jerry & Carol Witt
Menomonee Falls, WI
GERALD WITT
Menomonee Falls, WI
Posted: 3/9/2022
Very sorry to hear of Joe's passing. Our boys went to Pius X together.
Jeff and Sue Gardner
Milwaukee, WI
Posted: 3/9/2022
We were blessed to meet Joe following the death of our son in Iraq. He was an ardent and faithful friend as well as the best hugger we ever met. We all owe a debt of gratitude for his service to this country.
Glenn and Elizabeth Kryst
WAUPACA, WI
Posted: 3/7/2022
Great friend,caring,loving,courageous. Made deep impact in my life, never to be forgotten, a true man in all its attributes. Rest peacefully my Vietnam vet brother!
Al Garcia
Bradenton, FL
Posted: 3/6/2022
Joe was perhaps my most important piece of early recovery, his kind encouraging and always inspired words carried me through tough times. He is the very epitome of “pass it on” and saved a beautiful young family. Thank you Brother Joe and thank you Campbell family for sharing him with us. We love you
patrick hutchinson
Brookfield, WI
Posted: 3/6/2022
Joe aka Huggy Bear you will be greatly missed by all of your friends and all of the people who you knew and who you helped with your big heart and kindness and generosity and love Now you can rest in peace.
Bill and Ann Goralski
Milwaukee , WI
Posted: 3/6/2022
Saddens me to see Joe pass on and I knew him most of my career as a Recreation Therapist at the VA and watched so many times as Joe helped patients try to get back into employment and he put his whole heart into that…He will be missed…
RIP my friend…
Mike Temke
West Allis, WI
Posted: 3/6/2022
Joe was a sincere friend to me and I will truly miss him and his kiss on check when he left chapel for mass---Rest in peace Patriot.
Clare A. Scheuerell
Milwaukee, WI
Posted: 3/6/2022
My deepest sympathy to the family-Joe was a true gentleman and patriot.He was a true Veteran and we will miss him. He used to kiss me on the check when leaving the chapel after his Mass---and say love you. My first husband was in Nam in 1967 same time as Joe. He felt he had to do this. RIP dear friend.
Clare A. Scheuerell
Milwaukee, WI
Posted: 3/6/2022
God hold your hearts. Robert and Patsy(Auntie) DeHart, Pete Penney and Mandy Penney
Patsy DeHart
Ashdown, AR
Posted: 3/6/2022
Joe was our friend, we knew him from our Veterans group’s and the War Memorial, worked with him on the Memorial Day Parade and the VA, so sorry for loss sending prayers for your family.
Jim &Candy Endres
Milwaukee , WI
Posted: 3/5/2022
Words cannot express the gratitude I have for Joe, he was kind loving man that always put others first and always. He was so instrumental in my recovery by showing me how to be humble and grateful and most importantly loving toward my fellow man. It was and honor and pleasure serving in my position in the Blue Clinic at the VA, no matter what was going on with him especially in the last few years he always wanted to know how I was and thanking me. It was I who was thankful to him, God rest your soul my friend??????.
Timothy S McCormick
New Berlin, WI
Posted: 3/5/2022
Our 48 hour and 15 minute round trip journey to New York for the "9-11 Steel" will forever be in my memory. Our journey time together and the many 9-11 talks we gave following are true signs of your incredible character. And every time I see a Big Boy Character I will think of you. May you Rest in Peace Joe. Love you brother.
Mark Fox
Mayville, WI
Posted: 3/5/2022
Joe Campbell….a Vietnam veteran, Joe Campbell….a Vietnam veteran, and hero for so many reasons. A patriot, and one who deeply cared about his family, and all his veteran brothers and sisters. He cared about us all. He will never be forgotten by those of us he “touched”. He did so much for mankind. We shed a tear, we remember, as Joe was a very special man, indeed. Our heart is broken, but we have so much to be grateful for, as we have been made better by knowing Joe. He will never be forgotten by those who he “touched”…Joe did so much for mankind, to make the Bonus Days better. We shed a tear as we remember Joe, who was a very special man, indeed. My condolences to Joe’s family. It IS a very difficult time….May the great memories you have…we all have, help you/us all. We will remember the words and guidance Joe gave us, and to use to continue the legacy. May he Rest In Peace with all the other heroes he is now with.
Randy Zemel
Milwaukee, WI
Posted: 3/5/2022
Salute, Joe! My sincere condolences to family and friends.
Glenn Frankovis
Posted: 3/5/2022