CAMPBELL Steven D. Ph.D., of Dedham, passed away on March 4, 2026. Steven was born in Seattle, Washington, to Weldon R. Campbell (Alaska), and Amilia M. Tschida, Canada, on April 14, 1949. Steven is predeceased by his sister, Judith L. Campbell (Washington).
Steve received his Ph.D. from the University of Washington in 1969. He also served for a number of years in the Army Reserves.
Dr. Campbell was hired by MIT/Lincoln Laboratories in Lexington, MA in 1978, and there he spent his entire career, eventually retiring in 2021. Steve was hired as Senior Staff, serving as an electrical engineer, and in that time, worked in the Surveillance Systems Group. Steve worked on a variety of FAA-regulated programs in the areas of aircraft collision avoidance, satellite-based navigation, wind shear detection, wake vortex measurement, and air traffic control automation. Additionally, he worked with the Weather Sensing Group. Dr. Campbell is the author of six publications, and some of his work was presented internationally.
Steve is survived by two daughters, a grandson, and a stepson:
Carolyn (Campbell) Blaise, residing with her husband, Christopher, and son, Oliver, in Vergennes, VT.
Emily (Campbell) Hatfield, residing with her husband, Brian Hatfield, in Portland, ME.
Justin E Tribuna, residing with is wife, Bry, in Watertown, MA.
For the past 18 years Steve was married to Stephanie C. Tribuna of Dedham, MA, and has a stepson, Justin E. Tribuna. Justin has several very close friends who spent many hours at the house playing music, enjoying games, frisbee, shooting hoops, and whom Steve and Steph consider their ‘honorary sons.’ Justin was inspired by Steve’s musical interests, learned to play guitar, and is in a band of his own. Steve was a member of the band, “Snow Crow,” with whom he played for many years, often traveling with them to play in various venues. Steve’s hobbies included watching true crime with Steph, and building ‘battle bots’ for competition in Norwalk, CT. Steve was very interested in history, and had many books on the subject. If Steve was not building combat robots, he was fixing anything he could get his hands on - and he did it for others, too. He was fond of animals, and had a very special relationship with his beloved, cockatiel, “Tiki.” Steve and Steph enjoyed camping in Vermont every summer for many years, playing with his band, listening to music, dancing, traveling, and spending time with close friends.
Visiting hours will be held at the George F. Doherty & Sons Wilson-Cannon Funeral Home 456 High St. Dedham on Thursday, March 12th from 4-7pm (no services will be held on Friday). A celebration of life will take place in the funeral home on Saturday, March 14th at 11am.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to MSPCA/Angell, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, or a charity of your choice.