Roger Campbell

Courtesy Former Fillmore City Manager Roy Payne.

The City of Fillmore just lost one of its strongest and most dedicated advocates for the city he loved. I am speaking of Roger Campbell who passed away, just this week.

I first met Roger in 1989 when I was first hired as City Manager of Fillmore. I had the honor of knowing and working with Roger for many years and came to appreciate and respect him both as a councilperson and as a friend.

Roger served on the Fillmore City Council for 16-years and was the Mayor of Fillmore in the mid 1990’s. His name is engraved on the plaque at the entrance to Fillmore City Hall. Roger also served proudly as a long-time member of the volunteer Fillmore Fire Department. He followed in the footsteps of his father George Campbell who was the Fillmore Fire Chief. His brother-in-law, Pat Askren also served as Fillmore Fire Chief and Pat’s son, Patrick is a member of the L.A. County fire department. A proud family heritage indeed!

Roger’s home on Kensington Drive was destroyed by the 1994 Northridge earthquake. However, five-minutes after the earthquake, Roger in his passion and dedication to the City was on his way to the Fillmore fire station to help those who he felt were more in need from the devastation of the earthquake. With the help of his friends in the community, Roger and his family were able to move back into their rebuilt home and Roger’s home was the first home to be rebuilt after the earthquake. This is just a small example of who Roger was. He loved his family and his community.

It is my understanding that there will be a gathering of friends and family on Saturday, October 21 in front of City Hall. Regretfully, I cannot be there. However, I hope those who gather there will remember and honor the many positive things Roger accomplished in his journey on this earth.

God Speed Roger.