SCARBOROUGH – Edward “Ted” Campbell Jr., 91, was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Maine Health Care Association’s 20th annual Remember ME Photography Exhibit and Recognition Ceremony that took place on May 9 at the Augusta Civic Center. Every Maine long-term care and assisted living community had the opportunity to nominate one resident who has a historically significant background for the state-based project. Campbell was one of 32 recipients chosen from a pool of 63 applicants to be recognized at the ceremony.

Courtesy photo/Brittney Larrivee

According to a May 23 news release, Campbell was also recognized, along with all the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients and Honorable Mention winners, in the 2023 Remember ME program booklet, which features biographies and black and white photographs. The primary purpose of Remember ME is to salute those who have dedicated their lives to caring for families, fostering communities, and serving their state and country. The project also urges the public and key lawmakers to remember the selfless contributions made by our elderly and disabled citizens who now depend on others for their care and safety. Since its inception, the Remember ME program has recognized over 700 long-term care residents statewide.

Nominated by Piper Shores for his outstanding history in education, archaeological excavations, and book writing, Campbell had a designated table at the ceremony, where he celebrated the occasion with his family and close friends. Known as one of Piper Shores’ “pioneer” residents, he has been with the community for almost 22 years and is well known for the impact he’s made on the campus. He helped to establish Piper Shores’ Diversity Committee in the summer of 2014, which he still actively participates in today. Ted is also known for his interest in helping others, as well as his love of culture and travel. He lives on the Scarborough campus with his wife Phyllis.

Born and raised in New Haven, Connecticut, Campbell received his BA in history from Yale and went on to obtain his master’s of divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, where he was ordained as a Presbyterian minister. His love for the Old Testament and Ancient Near Eastern Studies also led him to pursue a PhD from Johns Hopkins University.

While working toward his PhD, Campbell simultaneously spent a few summers leading the excavation of the city of Shechem (Nablus in the Palestinian West Bank). Discovered in 1903, this excavation took 70 years, with the last season taking place in 1973. His experience in excavation resulted in him publishing several books, including “Shechem II: Portrait of a Hill County Vale” (1991) and “Shechem III: The Stratigraphy and Architecture of Shechem/Tell Balatah” (2002). He also assisted in the final publication of “Shechem IV: The Persian-Hellenistic Pottery of Shechem/Tell Balatah” (2008) alongside author Nancy Lapp. In addition to these, Ted wrote the book “Ruth (The Anchor Bible, Volume 7)” (1975).

Edward “Ted” Campbell Jr. Courtesy photo

After obtaining his PhD, Campbell returned to McCormick Seminary to teach and made a tremendous impact on the Lakeview, Illinois, community through the Presbyterian Church. After retiring from McCormick Seminary, an endowed chair was named after Campbell and his wife in recognition of their longtime commitment to the institution and the Lake View Presbyterian Church. He is known as a teacher who cared deeply about his students, community, the Bible, and the suffering of the world. After he and his wife made the move to Piper Shores in August 2001, he became a part of the Maine Council of Churches and also became the vice president of American Schools of Oriental Research. He continues to maintain an interest in nature studies, classical and folk music, and global, national, and local social issues.