Blacksmith Elmer Campbell dead

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Charles E. “Elmer” Campbell, a member of a respected family of blacksmiths that worked for generations at East Coast racetracks, died Jan. 31 at his Miami home. He was 83.

A Baltimore native, Campbell followed his father, Rhodes Campbell, who worked as a blacksmith at mid-Atlantic tracks. His brother, Bill, also was a blacksmith.

Campbell's clients included Hall of Fame trainers T.J. Kelly and Laz Barrera. For the latter, he worked on champions Affirmed and Bold Forbes.

Campbell was the father of twin sons Charlie and Joe, both blacksmiths on the New York circuit. Charlie died of cancer in July of 2005.

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