Honorable Judge Erich Geiger Campbell, retired United States Army Leuitenant Colonel, 60, of Onaga, KS, passed away Thursday, September 18, 2025 at Topeka VA Medical Center. He was born July 30, 1965 in Grand Rapids, MN, the son of Douglas H. Campbell and Helga (Geiger) Campbell.

Erich graduated from Greenway High School in 1984. He attended Itaska Community College for 2 years and Bemidji State University and Washburn University earning his Master's Degree.

In 1986, Erich joined the Army National Guard, serving until 1988. He proudly served in the United States Army from 1988 – 2016 until he retired; earning rank as Lieutenant Colonel. During this time, he served 7 Tours of Duty, 2 tours in Iraq, 2 tours in Kosovo, 2 tours in Afghanistan and 1 tour in Saudi Arabia; he was injured in one of the Iraq tours.

Following his Military career, Erich was an Adjunct at Washburn University and later the Judge Magistrate of the 2nd Judicial District, retiring in 2025 due to health reasons.

He was a Boy Scout Leader, member of Holton V.F.W. Post 1367, chosen for the Honor Flight in 2023, member of Tribal Judicial Forum, member of the Language Access Committee and long-time member of the GEEZERS.

Erich was married to Rebecca Rom for 16 years, they later divorced.

He married Cornelia Carolina "Roline" Scholtz in 2000 in Pretoria, South Africa; she survives. Other survivors include his mother, Helga Campbell of Grand Rapids, MN; father, Doug Campbell of Ft. Ripley, MN; step-mother, Karen Springer of Bigfork, MN; 2 daughters, Emily Henry (Curtis) of Alaska and Allison Campbell of Wichita, KS; son, Johan Campbell of Holton, KS; 2 sisters, Erika Campbell of Grand Rapids and Traci Dougherty of Crystal, MN and his beloved and dearest companion, Christine E. Beaver of Onaga, KS.

Funeral Service will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, September 25, 2025 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Family will greet friends from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Wednesday evening at the funeral home. Burial will be at Bigfork Cemetery in Bigfork, MN. Memorials may be given to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.