David D. Campbell

David D. Campbell, a retired General Motors Vice President from Sarasota, formerly of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Passed away February 4th after an 11 year struggle with Pulmonary Hypertension. He is survived by the love of his life, Audrey, who he first met at sixteen. They were married for 64 years. Also survived by Son, Scott and his wife Cathy. Grandchildren Riva (Brandon), Craig, and Christy (Mike), Also Son, Barry and his wife Suzi, Grandchildren, Emily Vargo & 4 Great Grandchildren. Campbell grew up in Detroit and later attended General Motors Institute (now Kettering University) receiving a BSME degree in 1953. After two years in the Army he started work at GM's Fisher Body Research and development Department working on mechanical automotive devices. In 1957 he worked on the team that introduced electric windshield wipers across GM car lines. Automatic door locks were introduced in 1960. Campbell led the team that developed the adhesive installed windshield and backlite which was introduced on GM models in 1962. This method is still used worldwide on almost every vehicle produced today because it eliminates windshield stress cracks and water leaks. Campbell went on to become very active in the field of automotive safety. He was the engineer on the first side-guard door beams installed in the mid sixties, and developed a number of different seatbelt arrangements and automatic locking seat belt retractors. He led the team that developed the first production Air-Bag system installed as an option in 1973 & 1974 Buick Olds and Cadillac. He is the holder of a number of patents as a result of this work. Also in 1977 was awarded the National Highway Transportation Administration medal for his work on automotive safety. In 1966 after a series of job assignments, he was appointed Chief Engineer of Fisher Body. In 1979 he switched his career to manufacturing when he was appointed Manufacturing Manager of the Fisher Body Division. In 1983 he was transferred to Europe to become Manufacturing Manager of GM Europe at Adam Opel. He returned in 1984 to become a GM Vice President. Campbell was elected a Fellow in the Engineering Society of Detroit and was a member of the society of Automotive engineers. He served on the Board of the Detroit Chapter of the American Red Cross and headed the Northeast Detroit United Way for three years. Audrey and Dave moved to Sarasota full time in 1991 and he was the Past Commodore of the Sarasota Yacht Club and a member of the Sarasota Power Squadron. A graveside service will be held at Sarasota National Cemetery with military honors on Wednesday, 2/10/16 at 1:00PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association.

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David D. Campbell

December 2, 1929 - February 4, 2016