Kenneth B. Campbell

Kenneth (Kenn) Bernard Campbell, born 5 April 1930 in Olla, LaSalle Parish, Louisiana, died 17 March 2026 at Clarity Hospice of Baton Rouge. Kenn was the only child of Katie Taylor Campbell (1905 1996) and Willard Bernard Campbell (1905-1984) and the grandson of Benjamin Franklin Taylor (1862-1958) and Melissa Alice Flowers (1871 - 1951) and of John Posey Campbell (1868-1946) and Henrietta Wilhelmina Belanger (1869-1947).

Kenn and his parents moved to Baton Rouge in time for him to enter Baton Rouge Junior High. He moved on to Baton Rouge High School the following year. He had a keen eye for detail along with many artistic tendencies and graduated from LSU with a B.S. in Architectural Engineering in 1952 and a B.S. in Civil Engineering the following year. He practiced architecture with several local architectural firms, ending his career in partnership with Charles E. Schwing & Associates programming, designing, producing construction drawings and specifications, and administering the construction of libraries, schools, banks, medical, and religious facilities.

His many interests included gardening. He was a member of the (now defunct) Men's Garden Club, the Hemerocallis (daylily) Society, and the Baton Rouge Camellia Society - by far his favorite plant. He was also a member of the Camellia Society at all levels - regional (Gulf Coast Camellia Society), national, and international as well. He served as the editor of the Gulf Coast Camellia Society Journal for many years and participated in many camellia flower shows winning a number of ribbons and trophies for the various specimens from his garden.

Kenn was a duck decoy carver and won ribbons for his work, a stamp collector, from early years a rock hound who polished many of his finds and made jewelry for his wife.

Kenn embraced his Scottish heritage. As a member of the Clan Campbell Society of North America, he served as a member of the Board, a member of the Clan Campbell Education Foundation, the layout manager of the 64-page Journal of the Clan Campbell Society (North America) and actively participated in Highland Games across the United States and Scotland as well. Flis affiliation with the Clan Campbell Society led to the friendships of several Scots who were instrumental in helping him trace his ancestry back to the 1700s and actually connected him to a living relative.

Continuing his interest in all things Scottish, Kenn was also an active member of the Baton Rouge Caledonian Society, earning the (now defunct) prestigious Grant Award for excellence in service.

He was an avid LSU sports fan attending all home football and basketball games until he was no longer physically able to do so.

Kenn served his country in the U.S. Navy during 1953-1956 as Lt. Commander, J.G. in the Civil Engineer Corps as an Assistant Public Works Officer. He told of many instances where he left the base in search of a clear channel radio station where he could sit in his car and listen to the LSU football games.

Kenn is survived by his wife of 68 years, Ruby Guidroz Campbell, one daughter Karen Suzonne Campbell, one son Neil Colin Campbell, and one grandson Colin MacNeil Campbell.

Visitation will be at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 11000 Florida Boulevard, Baton Rouge from 10:00-11:00am on Saturday, 21 March 2026 with the service at 11:00am. Burial will be immediately following at Resthaven Gardens of Memory, 11817 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Camellia Society, 100 Massee Lane Road, Fort Valley, Georgia, 31030.