OBITUARY
ROBIN CARL CAMPBELL
1951- 2025
After bravely fighting leukemia for three years, Robin Carl Campbell, born on August 19, 1951, reached for the loving hands of Jesus on September 6, 2025 and was brought home to his eternal rest in heaven. He joined his parents, who predeceased him, Robert Charles Campbell, retired General Secretary of the American Baptist Churches USA, and his mother, Lotus Idamae Graham, a schoolteacher.
At age 50, Robin, a still never-before-married-bachelor, had hit a point in his life where he felt a “calling”—a calling from God. He felt that God had someone in mind for him, someone who really needed him, where his deep desire to one day marry and become a father would be fulfilled.
A year later, Robin was set up on a blind date. Except in this case, he was “double blinded,” as he had no idea he was being set up. Robin was introduced to a young widow with three young children. This singular event, twenty-three years ago, changed the course of Robin’s life—and so many others’ lives—in monumental ways. For anyone else, this set-up would have turned out to be a complete disaster.
But God works in mysterious ways. Within ten days of Robin’s and Marion’s first date, they both knew something miraculous was happening, not just for the two of them, but for Marion’s three young children, at the time, ages 4, 7 and 10. In January 2004, Robin and Marion and the three kids tied the knot. In 2010, the family moved to Park City, UT from San Marino, CA, a dream come true.
Robin grew up in Covina, CA and graduated from South Hills High School in 1969. He was a stand-out in the theater department--great background for a future litigator. Robin graduated summa cum laude from University of California Riverside in 1973 and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa Academic Honor Society. Robin’s most meaningful college experience was attending the UC’s junior year abroad program through the University of Gottingen, located in what was then West Germany. There he made lifelong friends, who still have reunions every 5 years, including their 50th reunion held where it all began...in Gottingen.
Robin chose New York City, one of his favorite cities on earth, for law school, graduating from Columbia Law School in 1976. He practiced law in Los Angeles at Adams, Duque & Hazeltine, and later at Walker, Wright, Tyler & Ward. In 2002, he helped found Anglin, Flewelling, Rasmussen, Campbell & Trytten (“AFRCT”), a Pasadena-based law firm. An appellate lawyer, Robin’s prized legal win was when the US Supreme Court had declined to review a case he had argued and won as lead counsel for Farmer Brothers in front of the California Court of Appeals--that Section 24402 of California’s Revenue and Taxation Code was unconstitutional--a major victory for Farmer Brothers and all California businesses.
Robin was devoted to the American Baptist Church, its ministries and its missionaries. He was a member for 49 years of First Baptist Church Pasadena, where he served in innumerable leadership roles.
Above all, Robin lived a life of passion. Robin had passion for his faith, family, three pure-bred boxers and four rescue dogs. Robin loved entertaining his many friends with great wine (adored the “Bottle Boys,” which gathered weekly in Park City). He was an avid downhill skier and delighted in hiking daily with his dogs. Robin, Marion and the kids traveled all over the world together. Robin was a true “foodie” and savored food from dives to Michelin star restaurants (he was especially enthused by LA-based El Cholo, a 102-year-old Mexican restaurant that opened in Salt Lake City in 2023). Marion and Robin loved living part-time on Kauai and spent much time rescuing/rehabilitating cats/kittens for successful adoption on the mainland. Robin was a huge fan of Turner Classic Movies, most especially Cary Grant and Buster Keaton films (“The General”) and the film, “The Last Valley.” Robin delighted in watching musical theater (most especially “Promises, Promises,” “Chess” and “Tuscaloosa’s Calling Me…But I’m Not Going”) and listening to music--“Joy of Cooking” album, Jimmy Webb, Gordon Lightfoot, Brazil 66, James Taylor and MacArthur Park (Richard Harris).
What might be most memorable about Robin was his voice. He had one of those rare, deep, resonant “radio voices,” that was both velvety and captivating. Robin also had striking movie star good looks, often being compared to Tyrone Power, a star from the 1930’s-1950’s.
Robin’s extraordinary life came to an abrupt standstill in December 2022, when he was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (“AML”), the most aggressive form of leukemia. After undergoing chemotherapy, Robin eventually achieved temporary remission, and a matched unrelated donor was finally located. Robin underwent a lifesaving bone marrow transplant in June 2023 at Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City.
Every day of post-transplant survival was a gift from God to his family. He packed a whole lot of living and traveling into this extra time. The highlight of this time was walking his youngest daughter down the aisle to marry the love of her life in Kauai in September 2024. Shortly after the wedding, Robin was delighted to show Marion firsthand his Scottish heritage during a 3-week trip to Scotland, with his best friends/roommates from college and their spouses.
In June 2025, despite feeling great and remaining active, Robin learned his AML had recurred, exactly two years after transplant. Treatment options were extremely limited, and sadly, less than 3 months later, Robin passed away.
Robin is survived by his wife of almost 22 years, Marion Riley, and their children, Mar, Liam and Eileen, and son-in-law, Kit. Other survivors include his sister, Cherry and her husband, Scott, his cousins, Linda and Jim and their entire family; an additional 12 brothers-and-sisters-in-law; and 15 nieces and nephews. Robin will be sorely missed by his three beloved rescue dogs and his grand dog.
A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Saturday, November 29 at 11 am at First Baptist Church Pasadena, 75 N. Marengo Avenue, Pasadena, CA, with a reception to follow. Wearing your favorite Scottish tartan is encouraged.
In lieu of flowers, charitable donations in Robin’s name can be made to: 1) NMDP (formerly “Be The Match”) at giving.nmdp.org 2) Nuzzles Pet Rescue and Adoption at nuzzlesandco.org; or 3) Kauai Community Cat Project at kauaicommunitycats.org.