Obituaries - Oct. 13, 1999

Donald Campbell; National Forests Supervisor

Donald Campbell, 73, supervisor of two national forests who was respected by conservationists and loggers. Campbell, who served in the Army during World War II, graduated from Utah State University with a forestry degree and became a U.S. Forest Service ranger in central Oregon. He was named supervisor of the Okanogan National Forest in 1967 and the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Oregon’s largest at 1.7 million acres, in 1970. Campbell, who retired in 1980, said he took it as a compliment when an audience member complained during a debate that he couldn’t tell if Campbell was more in favor of the environment or logging. On Thursday while hiking on Mt. Rainier, Wash., of a heart attack.

George Forrest; Prolific, Award-Winning Songwriter

George Forrest, 84, songwriter who collaborated on such indelible favorites as “Stranger in Paradise” and “Baubles, Bangles and Beads.” The two hit songs were part of the 1953 Broadway musical “Kismet” by Forrest and Robert Wright, his writing partner of 72 years, based on the music of Borodin. They had recently been working on a new musical, “Betting on Bertie.” Awarded a Tony for “Kismet,” the duo were also nominated for Academy Awards for the songs “Always and Always,” “It’s a Blue World” and “Pennies for Peppino.” Together they wrote more than 2,000 songs for 16 produced stage musicals, 18 stage reviews, 58 motion pictures and many nightclub acts. Born George Forrest Chichester Jr. in Brooklyn, Forrest grew up in Miami and played piano by the time he was in kindergarten. By age 13 he was accompanying singers in Miami clubs. He met Wright while singing in the high school glee club for which Wright served as pianist. In 1934, they performed their way across the country in cabarets until they reached Hollywood for a tryout with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. After signing a seven-year contract, they took on their first assignment--a new score for “Maytime” starring Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy in 1937. They based their well-received music on Tchaikovsky’s 5th Symphony, and many more film and musical scores based on classical music were to follow. On Sunday in Miami.

Wilmer James; Ceramist, Printmaker and Teacher

Wilmer James, ceramist and printmaker who taught art to mentally handicapped children and young adults. James studied art at USC, Chouinard Art Institute and Immaculate Heart College. When her husband, George, served in the military in Japan, she also studied Japanese art and culture. She lived for a time in Mexico studying its art as well. James operated her own ceramic art business for a decade and sold ceramic pieces worldwide. She founded the Art Center of the Exceptional Children’s Foundation in the West Adams neighborhood of Los Angeles. She helped youth with mental disabilities express themselves through painting, drawing, forming ceramic art or making mobiles and collages. “Everyone has some creative bent,” she said, “and it can be brought out with enough patience and cooperation.” A short documentary film, “Painting Is Loving,” was made of her work with the young people. On Oct. 1 in Los Angeles of injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

Thomas Lake; Former President of Drug Company

Thomas H. Lake, 80, former president of the drug manufacturer Eli Lilly and Co. and its Lilly Endowment. The son of a Pennsylvania coal miner, Lake earned a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy and chemistry at Temple University. He served in the Army during World War II, attaining the rank of major. Lake joined the Indianapolis-based drug company in 1946 as a salesman and served on the board of directors from 1965 to 1989. He was president of the company from 1973 to 1976. From 1977 to 1992, Lake also was chairman of the Lilly Endowment, one of the largest private foundations in the country, and was its president from 1977 to 1984. On Sunday in Indianapolis.

Stuart Werbin, 52; Writer for TV and Independent Films

Stuart Werbin, 52, writer for television series and independent films. The Bronx, N.Y.-born Werbin graduated from Boston University, where he was elected student body president. He began his writing career with articles for Rolling Stone magazine, including a major piece on the Rolling Stones concert made famous in the documentary “Gimme Shelter.” After working on motion picture scripts in the 1970s, Werbin concentrated on television, working as producer and writer of “Cover Story,” a 1983 television series, and writer for Fox Network’s teenage soap opera “Tribes.” He also wrote for the Sci-Fi Channel. On Thursday in Los Angeles.