We are saddened by the news that ECE Professor Emeritus C.H.R. “Chuck” Campling passed away last Monday, June 24th, at the age of 96. Prof. Campling was a professor in ECE from 1955-1989 and Department Head from 1967 to 1977. After his retirement, Prof. Campling continued to participate in alumni events, most recently at Homecoming this past fall. He was a dear friend to many of our faculty.
Professor Campling was born in 1922 and was an undergraduate Electrical engineering student at Queen’s during the Second World War. He graduated with a BSc in 1944 and went on to do a master’s degree in electrical engineering from MIT. Prof. Campling returned to Kingston to teach at the RMC from 1950-1955, until joining Queen’s as an Associate Professor in 1955. In 1963 he was promoted to full professor.
Prof. Campling became Head of the ECE department in 1967. His colleagues describe him as a visionary instructor and leader. During Prof. Campling’s time as Department Head, he transitioned the ECE department from purely teaching-oriented to the research-intensive department that it is known as today. Prof. Campling began to welcome faculty from other universities, which played a large role in enabling this shift. In 1972 Prof Campling was awarded the Special Study Grant from the National Research Council, entitled “Towards A Study of Communications Research in an Interdisciplinary and Interinstitutional Context”. The study reflects Prof. Campling’s interest in creating strong research in the area of communications by working together with specialists across the country and continent.
Prof. Campling retired from Queen’s in 1989, after 49 years of continuous affiliation with Queen’s as a student, father of students, professor, department head, and award-winning researcher in digital systems and non-linear magnetics. In 1988 the University Council presented Prof. Campling with the Distinguished Service award, celebrating him as “a teacher whose intelligence, caring, and dedication have brought distinction to his alma matter and placed an indelible stamp, through his students, on Canada’s technological future.” (Queen’s Alumni Review, march-April 1989).
Prof. Campling continued to be part of Queen’s life after his retirement, participating in the alumni association and maintaining a close friendship with ECE Emeritus Professor P.C. Sen. Prof. Sen and Prof. Campling have been going for lunch every Wednesday since 1977. Last Wednesday was the first lunch date they have missed in 41 years. Prof. Campling has three children, also Queen’s graduates, six grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. His peers describe him as a gentleman, always friendly, helpful, and caring.