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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
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Sponsored by H.P. Brandt Funeral Home.
December 12, 2017
BethAnn LaPresta
I'm very sorry to hear of the passing of my Uncle Cam. He was a great man who my sister and I came to know better in the last 10 years. Comfort and peace to the rest of the family.
BethAnn LaPresta and Heather Harris
December 6, 2017
Campbell Witherspoon taught me 8th-grade history at Shady Side Academy, 1963-1964. (The year of the Beatles and the JFK assassination). He was the first full-time history teacher I ever had, and he set me on a path of passion for history which has guided my readings and travels for the subsequent 55 or so years. I'll always remember his bemused reaction to my in-class presentation about U.S. Army camels in the Southwestern desert in the 1850's. RIP, Cam!
December 2, 2017
Jaine Rodack
Though Cam and I never met (at least not face-to-face), we were friends, having met thanks to a wayward email sent to me rather than to the Witherspoons.
They were a kind and generous couple, who over the years would enrich my life, be it by phone, email or letter, punctuated by much-appreciated, carefully-made or chosen gifts:from a handmade lap quilt for my significant other, to a leather notepad holder with my name engraved on it for me, when I took on a part-time teaching job for fun. Those of us who knew him know well his gift for gab, love of good food, good books,good schools, good friends, and good dogs.
I will miss him.
November 30, 2017
Leo West
Very sorry to hear of Cam's death. He was a staunch member of the local social studies council and always active at the History Day completion at the Heinz. He will be missed.
Leo West
November 29, 2017
Harman Clark
On behalf of Muskingum College Class of 1953 alumni, we extend sincere condolences to Cam's family and friends.
November 27, 2017
C L
I'm so sorry to hear this. Please accept my condolences on your loss. May your memories comfort your heart; and God help your family during this time of sorrow. Isa.41:13
November 27, 2017
Cam Somerville
I am still trying to get used to the idea of a world without Uncle Cam. As a youngster, I thought that we had a special bond because we shared the Campbell name. Now I know that his generosity of spirit and his laughter made everyone he met feel special. I am glad to be a part of that community - people who knew him, people who learned from him, people who laughed with him, people who loved him. He will be with us as long as we remember his laugh, and how it made us feel.
November 26, 2017
My deepest sympathy to the Whitherspoon family, Cam was a true gentleman and a great educator. His professionalism was impeccable helping everyone with out question. His laughter and humor will be missed by all of us.
Patty Maseth
Hurdle Mills, North Carolina
November 20, 2017
Deborah Witherspoon McFatter
I met Uncle Cam in my very early childhood. He was adored by all of us cousins. His wry sense of humorenthusiastic embrace of life love of art, music, and books the way he gestured to emphasize conversational points (just like my dad, his older brother, did) his curiosity about history and politics and spirituality-all this I will greatly miss. From my childhood in the early 1950s and my early married life when he was my mentor as I finished a teaching degree through the present he was a treasure. Campbell- Ne Obliviscaris-Never Forget.
November 18, 2017
Cam and I have been friends since we were roommates and fellow Sphinx Club members at Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio since the early 1950's. We have remained friends ever since and visited together numerous times. My wife, Pat, will miss his friendship and wonderful humor but know that he is now at rest with his Lord. Nelson L. (Lin) Carter
November 18, 2017
MaryAnn Maudhuit
I knew Cam when he and his wife were members of the Dalmatian Club, and we all traveled to the dog shows, and also met for meetings. It was a great time, not only going to the shows, but getting to know this wonderful man that loved to socialize, and share his knowledge of so many things. Rest In Peace Cam. I miss those days with you and Marianne.
November 17, 2017
Dede Rittman
November 17, 2017
Dede Rittman
November 16, 2017
Mr. Witherspoon was my first principal when I was hired as a North Allegheny teacher. He was a tremendous leader and role model to a young teacher. If I am a good teacher now, 29 years later, it is due in great part to my first boss and good friend, Mr. Witherspoon.
November 16, 2017
John Schwoebel
Cam enjoyed a long life in which he leal, guided and influenced uncountable children and adults.His death is a loss to all of us. I especially appreciated his humor and his enjoyment of that in both situations and others. Many, many of us will long remember Cam's friendship and how he shared himself and his talents. God bless..
November 16, 2017
Peggy Grinager
Sincere Condolences to the Witherspoon Family for the loss of Cam. I taught with him at North Allegheny. He was a FUN person to work with and always was ready to help me when and where ever he could!!!!
Peggy Brakeman Grinager
November 16, 2017
Jim Murray
In my early days of teaching, Cam gave much support, encouragement and expressed appreciation that helped keep me going. He is one person I long remembered and much admired. Thank you, Cam.
November 16, 2017
Ed Sarver
My deepest condolences to the Witherspoon family for your loss and our loss. Cam was a wonderful person who always brought a smile to the room with his infectious laugh and sense of humor. I have great memories of moments of uncontrollable laughter with Cam that brought tears to our eyes. He was consistent in his commitment to making a positive difference for students and a role model of that philosophy for many.
Ed Sarver
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