Introduction
Barrie Carl Campen
Barrie Carl Campen was born on May 14, 1947 to Mary I. and Jack E. Campen in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania. He was the oldest of five children, coming before Craig, Lyndsay, Lee, and Marc. The family later moved to Marlton, New Jersey, a convenient commute for Jack Campen, who worked at the RCA plant in Camden.
Barrie Campen graduated from Lenape Regional High School in 1965 and subsequently served four year hitch in the United States Coast Guard. During his time in the Coast Guard he was stationed for one year at the USCG Loran Station Cape Sarichef on Unimak Island, Alaska.
After leaving the Coast Guard in August of 1969 Barrie Campen worked as a fireman at the Naval Air Station Lakehurst and at McGuire Air Force Base. He and his wife Arlene settled in the Presidential Lakes section of Pemberton Township, New Jersey. Barrie Campen also served as a volunteer with the Presidential Lakes Fire and Rescue Squad.
On April 2, 1974 Barrie Campen was appointed to the Camden Fire Department.
Sadly, Barrie Campen died from injuries sustained in an automobile accident on May 15, 1975. On the evening of May 13, while returning home from work, he made a u-turn in order to assist a stranded motorist and his car collided with another vehicle. He left behind a widow, Arlene J. Campen, and two daughters, Adrianne, born in 1970, and Alison, who was born shortly after his death, his parents and siblings.
The Campen family continued and continues to serve community and nation. Younger brother Craig retired from the United States Air Force, sister Lyndsay is currently serving with the rank of Colonel in the Air Force, and daughter Alison is an EMT in Burlington County, New Jersey.
Coast Guard Service Photos
On Duty at Cape May, New Jersey
Visiting grandparents at Boothwyn, Pennsylvania
Barrie Campen on Unimak Island — circa 1967 (front)
Barrie Campen on Unimak Island — circa 1967 (back)
Kimac & I
part of Aleutian guerilla team.
Map showing USCG Loran Station Cape Sarichef location — Unimak Island is in the red box
Barrie Campen on Unimak Island — circa 1967
Here I am with the only girl on the island. Sexy, isn’t she?
Barrie was always there to help
Burlington County Times —
Gail C. Lerner
Barrie Campen’s friends say he was the type of person always there to help, and that’s how the accident happened. He saw a car broken down and made a U-turn to reach it.
Attempting to aid a distressed motorist, a stranger, Barrie’s car and another vehicle collided on the evening of May 13. Two days later, one day after his 28th birthday, he died of head wounds.
Barrie resided with his wife, Arlene, and their young daughter, Adrianne, in the Presidential Lakes section of Pemberton Township. His death came three days before the birth of their second daughter. The baby was named Allison May.
Barrie was a professional firefighter with the Camden Fire Department and a volunteer with the Presidential Lakes Fire and Rescue Squad. He was enroute home from his job in Camden at the time of the accident.
“We want his family to know we loved him and we miss him, and we’ll not soon forget he gave us the support we needed, when we needed it,” related Kathi Ulrich.
Kathi is one of five lady firefighters in the township. And while others denounced their efforts when they joined the department, Campen praised them. And because he was a professional fireman they valued his opinion, and others listened, too.
“They’ve already proven themselves,” Campen told this reporter during an interview, “and they’re good firefighters. We’ve worked right along side of them.”
“That was Barrie, always there with a kind word or a helping hand. Always willing to help,” concluded another acquaintance.
Fire Department Service Cards
CAMDEN DIVISION OF FIRE
PERSONNEL RECORD
Badge No: 168
Name in Full: CAMPEN, BARRIE CARL
Address: RR2 Box 2722 Browns Mills, N. J. 08015
Age: 26 Citizen: yes Color: white Sex: male
Date of Birth: May 14, 1947
Born in City of: Ridley Park State: Pa.
Name of Parents: Jack E. & Mary I. Campen
Marital Conditions: Married
Date of Appointment: 4/2/74
Title of Position: Fire Fighter
Beneficiary: Arlene J. Campen (Wife)
High School Graduate: Yes
If No, Last Grade Attended: 5-15-75 DIED FROM AUTO ACCIDENT
PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT (give 2)
Name, addresses and dates of employers:
Fire Dept Lakehurst Naval Air Station Lakehurst N.J. 9/73 – 2/74
Fire Dept McGuire Air Force Base, Wrightstown N.J. 4/73 – 9/73
U. S. GOVERNMENT SERVICE
Dates: From: 2 Aug 1965 To: 1 Aug 1969 Branch: U.S. Coast Guard Injuries: None
PENSION INFORMATION
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