Tribute to Legendary Campbell Bridges Held in Tucson

A tribute to the late Campbell Bridges was held last week during the annual International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA) reception in Tucson. Bridges, the ICA’s former director, was brutally murdered in Kenya last August.

Snapshot of the Bridges’ life were shown by Robert Weldon of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) at the event, which the ICA described as “one of the largest industry gatherings ever.” Bridges’ wife Judith, as well as their children, Bruce and Laura, flew into Tucson to attend the tribute.

Bruce Bridges recalled the tragic details of his father’s passing, urging the international community to seek justice for Bridges’ murder.

Bridges was attacked and murdered on August 11, by a mob near his farm in Kenya. Bridges and his son Bruce were attacked in the Taita Taveta District in Tsavo National Park. It is believed that the attack was connected to a three-year dispute over access and control of Bridges' gemstone mines.