Elk Cove Co-Founder Says Goodbye At Age 87
The family of Joe Herald Campbell, age 87, of Sherwood, Oregon, is saddened to announce his passing on June 28, 2026.
Joe was born on June 25th, 1939 in Altadena California to Lois E Campbell (née Cordner) and Frederick Clarence Campbell. Joe grew up at his family’s motel in Hood River, Oregon and attended Hood River High School. Always a hard worker, Joe had 11 jobs before the age of 18 including working at the Lone Pine Motel, strawberry picking, setting pins at the bowling alley and driving spikes on the railroad.
Joe received a full scholarship to Harvard University graduating with a History of Science degree before attending Stanford Medical School. During the Vietnam War, Joe was a conscientious objector and was alternatively drafted into the Indian Health Service. Joe spent two years working as an Emergency Room Physician in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. Their time in this amazing place was a transformative experience for both Joe and his wife and fellow Oregonian Patricia A. Campbell. After finishing his service, Joe settled back in Oregon with his family and in 1974 he and Pat founded Elk Cove Vineyards in Gaston, Oregon. Together they helped establish the Oregon wine industry, building an international reputation for Oregon Pinot noir. While growing the business, Joe worked as a winemaker as well as a physician, both in emergency medicine and family practice in Oregon and SW Washington. Joe retired from Elk Cove in 1999, passing winemaking onto his son Adam. Over the next 20 years, Joe served medical missions to Guatemala, Sri Lanka, New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, South Sudan, and multiple missions to Arequipa, Peru. Together with his wife Pat, he traveled the world, visiting every continent on Earth. Always giving back to his community, Joe served on the boards of Bodyvox Dance Company, Faces Foundation, and Friends of the Columbia Gorge. He always loved basketball, hiking, photography, chocolate, Pinot noir, and skiing, and was proud to ski free on Mount Hood after age 80. Joe also dabbled in black jack, house-painting, windsurfing and baking sourdough bread.
Joe is lovingly remembered by his wife Patricia, and by his sons with former spouse Pia Asp, Fredrik and Klas. His memory is also held dear by his and Pat’s children Dani (Eartha), Adam and Anna as well as 14 wonderful grandchildren. Joe is preceded in death by his brothers Daniel and John.
A celebration of life will be held at Elk Cove Vineyards on August 30th. Please email info@elkcove.com with subject line “Joe” to receive details. Joe was passionate about health, education and the environment. In lieu of flowers, consider remembering Joe with a donation to Friends of the Columbia Gorge or the Faces Foundation of Portland, OR. Please raise a glass of Oregon wine in his honor.
Elk Cove co-founders Joe and Pat Campbell. Photo by Kathryn Elsesser.
