John Keith Campbell

Dr. J. Keith Campbell of Rochester died on Wednesday March 4, 2026, at Cascade Creek Assisted Living.

He was born in England to Robert and Irene (Jackson) Campbell on April 13, 1935. He trained in medicine at the University of Liverpool where he also met fellow medical student and wife-to-be, R. Jean Turner.

After graduating with an MB, ChB in 1959, he was subject to the military draft and entered the Royal Navy as a surgeon lieutenant. He served for 5 years at naval air stations in Malta and the United Kingdom.

After military service, he trained in neurology in Edinburgh, Scotland and at Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada where research into the medical uses of ultrasound provided material for a thesis submitted to his alma mater. In 1970 he was awarded an MD degree by Liverpool University.

In 1970, Dr. Campbell joined Mayo Clinic as a fellow in neurology to complete his training and was appointed to the staff in 1972. He achieved the rank of professor of neurology, and in 1991 was designated a Distinguished Mayo Physician. In addition to his role as a section head in the Department of Neurology, his exemplary teaching earned him Teacher of the Year by the residents on two separate occasions. He served on the clinical practice and the academic appointments and promotions committees.

Dr. Campbell's major field of expertise was migraine and other causes of headache. A member of the American Association for the Study of Headache (later renamed the American Headache Society), he was president from 1996 to 1998 and editor of the journal Headache from 1991 to 2001. He was chair of the Headache Research Group of the World Federation of Neurology and a member of the International Headache Society.

Dr. Campbell was board certified in neurology, a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology, the American College of Physicians, and the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

After retirement, he pursued his hobby of woodworking and he and Jean, his wife of 52 years, traveled widely and enjoyed time at their vacation home on the Oregon coast.

He was pre-deceased by his wife and parents. There will be no funeral service. A private memorial service will be held.

Memorials may be sent to Mayo Clinic Department of Development or the American Headache Society.

There will be a private gathering of remembrance held for Dr. Campbell.