Dr. Robert F. Campion, 94, of Lake City, died on Sunday, September 24, 2017, at Mayo Clinic Hospital – Rochester, Saint Marys Campus, after a brief illness.

Robert Francis Campion was born to Martin Francis Campion and Mary Magdalene (Tuohy) Campion on May 21, 1923, in Lake City, Minn. He graduated high school from Mary E. McCahill Institute, Lake City, in June 1941, and attended St. Mary's College, Winona, from 1941-1942, and Creighton University, Omaha, NE, from 1942-1944. In 1944, he enlisted in the Army at Camp Barkeley, TX, sailing to Europe on the General Sheridan in 1945, landing in La Havre, France, serving as a Quartermaster supply technician with Headquarters Company of the 48th Armored Medical Battalion, Company B. The division went as President Truman's honor guard at the Potsdam Conference. Bob was discharged as a Staff Sergeant in 1946. He was awarded the American Theater Service Theater Ribbon, European Theater Service Ribbon with one bronze star, Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.

On July 13, 1948, he married Betty Mae Siegel at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Chatfield, MN, Rev. William Coleman officiating. After the war, Bob enrolled at the University Of Minnesota School Of Dentistry, graduating with a doctor of dental surgery in 1949. While at the University of Minnesota, Bob was commissioned at a 2nd Lieutenant in the Medical Service Corps and was stationed at Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX. Promoted to 1st Lieutenant, he was sent to Fort Jackson, in Columbia, SC, until 1952 when he was sent to Germany until December 1953. Bob was promoted to Captain during this time and returned to Lake City in 1954.

Bob practiced dentistry in Lake City with his father from 1954 to 1978, and sold his practice to Dr. Scott Knudsen in 1990. For five years after that, he practiced removable prosthetic dentistry with Dr. Robert Gores in Rochester, and continued to be a support to Scott in his practice for many years.

He served in the National Guard as a dental officer from 1956 until 1969 was promoted to Major during this time. He served in the Army Reserve, retiring on May 21, 1983 at the rank of Colonel.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his brother John William (Bill) Campion, and two nephews, Thomas Siegel and Michael Campion. He is survived by his wife Betty of Lake City; his children Kevin W. (Betsy) Campion and their sons Kevin E. (Catherine) Campion and Patrick F. Campion; Stephen R. (Kristine) Campion and their son, Daniel P. Campion; Anne E. (Tom) Valentine and their children, Amanda and Bill; two great-granddaughters, Nora & Sophie; four step-great grandsons and one step-great granddaughter. He is also survived by two sisters, Jane K. Campion and Mary E. Campion of Rochester, MN; two nieces, Jane (Campion) Coleman and Connee Campion; three nephews, Bill (Claudia), Jim (Marcia) and Jon (Jane) Siegel, and their families; and cousins Ross (Peggy) Campion of Eyota, and Sylvester Touhy (Margaret) of Chatfield, and their families.

Dr. Campion was a member of the American Dental Association, the Minnesota Dental Association, the Reserve Officers Association, the National Guard Association, Lake City Country Club (past president), Knights of Columbus, and the Delta Sigma Delta Dental Fraternity.

Visitation will be an hour and half before the memorial service on Saturday, October 28, 2017, at 10:30 a.m., at Saint Mary's of the Lake Catholic Church, Lake City, MN,Father Joseph P. Pete and Reverend Monsignor Robert Meyer officiating. Burial will be at the Minnesota Veteran's Cemetery in Preston at a later date.