Stewart N. Campbell, IGFA Trustee and internationally known sportsman, died Wednesday, August 4, 2010.
Born in Benton, Arkansas, Campbell grew up in Houston, Texas, and graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a degree in mechanical engineering. After many successful years in the natural gas compression business, he retired in 1991.
Considered by many to be one of the world’s greatest big-game anglers, Stewart’s early fishing took place in Arkansas’ small streams and later on the Gulf Coast’s saltwater flats. In the 1970s he began searching the world’s oceans for billfish – and hotspots – onboard the Chunda with his longtime captain, Bark Garnsey, setting more than 15 light-tackle world records in the process. Stewart was passionate about the world’s fisheries, and over the past four decades made major contributions to scientific knowledge and research by tagging and releasing a huge number of fish with his team.
In 1996 Campbell became a member of the IGFA Board of Trustees, and for many years chaired the IGFA Rules Committee. He also served as one of the Gulf Coast Conservation Association’s early directors.
Stewart Campbell is survived by Nikki, his wife of 56 years, two daughters and seven grandchildren. A memorial service was held on Monday, August 9, 2010 in Houston. Among the pallbearers were some of Stewart’s closest friends from the sportfishing community, including: Jose Luis Bestegui, Pete Boinis, Capt. Bark Garnsey, Roy Merritt and Charles Perry.
“It is a sad day indeed for the sportfishing fraternity that we should lose such a person as Stewart,” expressed George Matthews, Chairman of the IGFA Board. “In my opinion he was a large part of the consciousness of the IGFA. I personally relied on his well-thought-out interpretation of the rules and his kindly manner. Our prayers go out to Nickie and the Campbellfamily at this difficult time.”
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests that donations in Stewart Campbell’s name be directed to the IGFA, Coastal Conservation Association, or the Robert S. Braden Endowment at the College of Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin.