Howard Paul Campbell

Howard “Paul” Campbell, proud businessman and grandpa, made it to age 88 before passing away peacefully in his home on October 17, 2025.

Paul was born Sept 15,1937 to Howard and Eva Campbell of Salt Lake City. In 1946 he arrived in Seward with his family on the steamship USS Alaska. He spent the next 4 years in Moose Pass where his parents were camp cooks for the Alaska Road Commission.

By 1950 his family moved to Palmer and started the Frontier Cafe which they ran for over 30 years. In their spare time they learned to fly airplanes and built a cabin at Horseshoe Lake. Paul was proud to be the very first quarterback for Palmer High School. And he had a special place in his heart for the senior class of 1956 and the shenanigans they got up to.

At age 17 Paul was inducted into the Air National Guard where he served for 8 years. After high school he earned his multi-engine aircraft rating at American Flyers School in Texas. Upon returning to Palmer he spent a few years ferrying planes up from the lower 48.

Paul was smitten when he met Eugenia “Jean” Derocher on a blind date. His “no quit” attitude paid off and Jean agreed to marry him in February of 1961. They proceeded to build a home and family over the next 61 years. Jean was the homemaker that gave Paul’s life purpose and stability.

He ran Paul’s Chevron service station for the next 6 years before the couple decided to try their luck in Seattle. Paul worked for Boeing and was an inspector on the first 747 airplane. However, by 1970 Boeing hit an economic downturn, so Paul happily moved his family back to Palmer.

Within a year Paul began his surveying career at Lounsbury & Assoc. He earned his Professional Land Surveying license and was one of the first surveyors in the Prudhoe Bay oil field. In 1978, he, Gary Drasky and Gary Silvers began an engineering surveying firm which became Alaska Rim Engineering. They built their own building on the Palmer Wasilla Highway in 1986 and then added Mat-Su Test Lab to their business. Along the way, Paul was Palmer Chamber of Commerce President and served on many Borough boards and commissions.

As his career was established so was his home. In 1972 Paul and Jean, with children Natalie and JP, cleared the land and built their house overlooking Pioneer Peak. They were known for Summer BBQ’s and exuberant Thanksgivings. Always generous with food, spirit and tradition.

Paul never fully retired, but when his grandkids came along he shifted priorities. He spent many days throwing footballs, going fishing, and telling stories that inspired the grandkids to participate in shenanigans of their own. When Paul reached his 60’s he had “made it!” He and Jeannie officially became Arizona snowbirds which they did for the next twenty years. They made wonderful friends along the way, believed in family first and community service. When his wife passed away, he didn’t quit. Paul lived life right up to the end. Managing his business, snowbirding with his kids, and touring the state with his grandkids and puppy dog, Kiska.

On October 17, 2025 his final words were, “Hello Jean!”
He really had made it.

Paul is survived by his son, Jon Paul Campbell; daughter, Natalie Good; grandsons, Nick Good and Nathaniel Good; granddaughter, Katie Good; sister, Charlotte Ingalls; plus numerous cousins and loved ones.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday November 1, 2025 from 2-4pm at the Palmer Elks Lodge. Please join us as we celebrate Paul’s life.

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