Pupils, staff and parents are in shock following the sudden death of a ”legendary” Fife school teacher who passed away just hours after returning from an Easter holiday break in Spain.
English teacher Alasdair Campbell (54), who taught at Glenwood High School in Glenrothes for many years, and who latterly had been working as a supply teacher at Viewforth High School, Kirkcaldy, died on Sunday morning after taking ill at home in Kettlebridge, near Cupar.
It is understood Mr Campbell had taken ill with chest-infection-like symptoms while on holiday in Spain with his wife Katriona last week, but had not sought medical attention. The couple returned home to Fife on Saturday evening and relaxed at home before going to bed.
It is understood that around 6.30 on Sunday morning, Mrs Campbell was awoken by the sound of her husband coughing. He collapsed, suffering a suspected asthma attack.
Paramedics attended and, despite CPR, he was unresponsive. He was rushed to the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy but pronounced dead.
Tributes were led by Fife Council’s head of education, Craig Munro, who said: ”This is tragic news and we are deeply saddened to hear of Mr Campbell’s untimely death. Mr Campbell taught English in a number of high schools in Fife but served for the longest period in Glenwood High School, Glenrothes, where he also ran for many years the theatre club.
”He also marked Higher English exams for the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). He latterly has been working part-time in Viewforth High School, Kirkcaldy.”
As pupils and staff returned to school after the Easter break, Twitter was awash with tributes to Mr Campbell from pupils.
One said: ”It’s so sad what’s happened to Mr Campbell. He was an amazing teacher. RIP.”
Another said: ”I can’t believe Mr Campbell has died. He was a properly great man.”
A third said: ”He was sound. Legendary. He was also a great banjo player.”
A former pupil described Mr Campbell as a ”bit of a cool guy” who would ”go out of his way to help” pupils.
Another said: ”He was the best English teacher ever. He really helped me and, yeah, he could be a bit mean, but he had to be!”
Mr Campbell was also described as being ”awesome for his can-do attitude.”
Kirkcaldy East Fife councillor Lawrence Brown, whose ward includes Viewforth High School, said: ”I’m very saddened to hear a thing like that. My thoughts are with his family.”
Fellow Kirkcaldy East councillor Kay Carrington added: ”He was an excellent teacher and well respected by pupils. I’m sure his passing will be a sad loss to the school. My condolences go to his family at this time.”
Kirkcaldy MSP David Torrance said: ”My sympathies go out to the families at this time and to the close members of staff and pupils who knew him. It’s a tragedy and my thoughts are with them.”