Dr. Clarence L. Campbell Jr.
Dr. Clarence L. Campbell Jr. retired in 1991 from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, where he served 38 years as state veterinarian. That is the longest that anyone in any state has served in that capacity.
Campbell was born in Indianapolis, Ind., and received his early education in Sebring, Fla. He took pre-veterinary training at Florida Southern College and received his veterinary medical degree from Ohio State University.
He was a field veterinarian with the Florida Livestock sanitary Board for three years before being appointed as assistant state veterinarian in 1948 and state veterinarian in 1953.
Campbell was extremely diligent in his efforts to rid Florida of animal diseases and to prevent the introduction of foreign animal diseases into the state and country. Through his leadership as state veterinarian, the cattle fever tick was eradicated from Florida in 1961 and the screwworm was eradicated a year later. In 1972, both hog cholera and exotic Newcastle disease were eradicated in Florida. Campbell also worked diligently to eliminate brucellosis from cattle herds in Florida.
These and other eradication and disease control achievements have had an immeasurable economic impact on Florida's livestock industry by creating a more healthy environment and permitting Florida livestock to be marketed throughout the country and around the world.
Campbell served as president of the united states Animal Health Association and he worked with numerous other state and national committees dealing with animal health issues.
Among many honors, Campbell received the "veterinarian of the Year" award from the Florida veterinary Medical Association and the "Distinguished Service" award from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
