Campbell Witherspoon, Jr., passed away on Sunday, November 12, 2017, at The Arbors of St. Barnabas in Valencia, after a short illness. Born on January 10, 1929, Campbell was the son of the late Campbell and Caroline Witherspoon. Cam served in the US Medical Corps from 1946-1948, and from 1950-1952, but his real passion was Education. A graduate of Westview High School and Muskingum University, Cam served as a coach, teacher, and department head at Shady Side Academy from 1964-1971, and as Headmaster from 1974-1978. He worked as an administrator in Colorado at the Colorado Academy and the Aurora Public Schools from 1964-1974. Cam returned to Pittsburgh and worked as an administrator at North Allegheny School District from 1978 until his retirement in 1992. His positions included Curriculum Coordinator; Vice Principal of the Intermediate High School; K-12 Gifted and Talented Coordinator; Acting Principal of Hosack Elementary and Carson Middle Schools; and Principal of Franklin Elementary School. Additionally, Cam piloted many new state initiatives and wrote and received grants to help schools and young people succeed. In every district in which he worked, Cam was a huge supporter of the arts. Cam had a wonderful career as a teacher, coach, and administrator, and although he had no children of his own, he was a positive influence on thousands of young people.
An avid golfer for his entire life, Cam enjoyed playing on the links with old friends and new golfer friends, as Cam never met a person he did not like. He and his late wife, Mariann M. Witherspoon, enjoyed raising and showing Dalmatians around the country. He enjoyed meeting friends and going out to lunch, although the food was secondary to Cam’s enjoyment of conversation. His love of people, along with his great sense of humor and gentle soul, earned him an abundance of friendships through the years. As a former Social Studies teacher, Cam continued his passion for his subject by serving as a docent at the Heinz History Center, as well as giving lectures on historical topics at St. Barnabas and the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation. Cam also volunteered as a judge for National History Day Regional Competitions. Cam thoroughly enjoyed his 37 years in Education, 19 in private schools and 18 in public schools.
Cam was preceded in death by his parents, Campbell and Caroline Witherspoon; his wife, Mariann M. Witherspoon; his brothers, Eric H. and Thomas C. Witherspoon; a sister, Nora Murdoch, and his niece, Mary Carol Somerville. Cam is survived by his sister, Margaret Somerville of Proctorville, Ohio; his nephews Dr. Charles Campbell Somerville, Mark O. Somerville, Eric D. Somerville, Eric H. Witherspoon, Thomas Murdoch and Edward Murdoch; and nieces Deborah W, McFatter, Stephanie W. Erdmann, Ann M. Geiger, Beth M. Smythe, and Susan Selix.
A memorial service honoring Cam’s life will be held on Thursday, November 30, 2017 at 11 a.m. at St. Barnabas in the Chapel at Valencia Woods, inside The Arbors, 85 Charity Place, Valencia, PA 16059. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations in Cam’s name to the John J. Heinz History Center, 1212 Smallman St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Arrangements are under the direction of the H.P. Brandt Funeral Home, Inc., (412-364-4444) Online condolences maybe offered at www.brandtfuneralhome.com
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18