OBITUARY: Florida Today Newspaper Icon Robert ‘Bob’ Crisman Campbell Sr. Passes Away at 76

spent nearly five decades working for Florida Today newspaper, where he was a founding member

Robert Crisman Campbell Sr., lovingly known as Bob, passed away on June 18, 2025, in Orlando, Florida, after a hard-fought final effort to be with his children and say goodbye.

True to his nature, he held on until he had spoken to each of his children — making sure they heard his voice and knew how much he loved them — and only then was he ready to let go.

He was a longtime resident of Rockledge, Florida, where he lived for over 40 years and built a life anchored in love, hard work, and quiet devotion to his family. Bob spent nearly five decades working for Florida Today newspaper, where he was a founding member.

He held many roles throughout his career, including traveling across the U.S. and abroad as a consultant, where he shared his expertise and helped launch printing presses around the world. At the newspaper, he met Mollie Campbell — the woman who would become his wife and the one he refused to do life without.

Their decades together were marked by loyalty, family, and unwavering commitment — and in the end, it was clear to everyone just how deeply he loved her.

His work ethic was legendary — unmatched by anyone his family has ever known. Bob approached every task, whether professional or personal, with unwavering diligence and pride.

A man of many talents, Bob could fix just about anything and took great joy in doing so. He loved fishing, boating, and tending to the land he cherished, overlooking the river — a piece of property he proudly picked — that, like the life he built, only grew more valuable over time.

Whether building something with his hands, captaining one of his many boats, or making someone laugh with his sense of humor and kind smile, Bob made others feel at ease. He wasn’t flashy, but you always knew he was there — reliable, steady, and quietly making sure the people around him were taken care of.

Above all else, Bob was proud of his family. He leaves behind his wife, Mollie Campbell, and six children: Lori Perver (Semih), David Campbell (Jessica), Jacob Campbell (Ashley), Robin Gray (Chadwick), Belinda Sue Campbell, and Robert Campbell Jr. (Sheena); as well as many grandchildren who brought him great joy — including Alara, Arthur, and Ayla (whom he was proud of even before she arrived). He is also survived by his grandchildren in Mississippi — Anna-Marie (Jerry), Colton, Alyssa, and Bree — who were always in his heart and a source of deep pride, even if they couldn’t be nearby. He was predeceased by his grandson Robert Crisman Campbell III, “Trey,” his brother Bill Campbell, and his parents, Charlotte Ritter and Marion Campbell.

Bob was devout in his faith and placed his trust in Jesus. He often quoted Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

With a house full of strong-willed, big-hearted kids, parenting was no small task — but he raised them with faith, intention, and love. He was proud of who they were becoming, who they chose to share their lives with, and the families they had begun to build — from the grown grandchildren he kept up with from a distance to the younger ones who lit up his daily life.

True to his humble nature, Bob requested no funeral or memorial services. He was a simple man, never seeking attention — only to care for the people and the place he loved. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

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