Reminiscences
Anyone can read Ben Nighthorse Campbell's biography to see all of his accomplishments, and when one considers all he had to overcome to achieve all that he achieved, well it would make even Horatio Alger stand and applaud. Thus, I won't plow that ground, as it has been well covered. I would prefer to tell you about Ben's humanity. You see, the Honorable Ben Nighthorse Campbell, U.S. Senator, Olympian, award winning jeweler, American Indian icon, etc, etc., was a regular guy and desperately wanted to be treated as such.
One his favorite stories was when he pulled his big semi tractor in for fuel during a congressional recess. As he was fueling his rig, another gray haired truck driver was staring at him from the next pump over. Not wanting to get drawn into a political discussion, Ben pulled his cap down and lowered his gaze. The fellow asked, "Hey, don't I know from somewhere? Ben replied without looking up, "Naw, buddy. I don't think so." The fellow was not giving up, "Man. you look familiar, it'll come to me." Ben deflected again. Suddenly the guy said, "Didn't you drive for Dowdell in the 50's?" At that point Ben looked up and recognized the guy. They went into the truckstop together and had lunch. I asked , "What did the guy say when you told him what you do today?" Ben said, "I didn't. It didn't come up." A potentially awkward situation became a pleasant lunch and reconnection with an old acquaintance.
When walking through the senate with Ben, he was friendly and charming to everybody, and he always greeted his colleagues as you'd expect, however, his favorite people to visit with were the regular folks, the cops, the waitresses, the cashiers, the elevator operators, etc. He knew their names and their circumstances, if they had a sick child or spouse, if they were nearing retirement, etc., and despite there being 99 other senators you seldom ever heard them call out their names, but "Good morning Senator Campbell", "Hey there, Senator Ben." were frequent refrains that would ring out.
Once when walking past the senate floor a decade or more after he served, one of the doorkeepers called out. "Hello Senator Campbell, thanks again for the mats." Ben said "Thank you for remembering an old fart, it gladdens my heart to be fondly recalled." He then turn to me and pointed to the rubber mat she was standing upon. 'These poor ladies were expected to stand here on these marble floors for 8 hours or more a day. It was killing their legs, so I got some mats at each of the doors for them." She added "It made a big difference." Ben was as pleased for helping these ladies as he was for any piece of legislation he ever passed.
Ben Nighthorse Campbell was an extraordinary man...and 'everyman' all wrapped into one.
Final Thought
Ben once told me a story about taking a leg bone from his descendant, Ruben Blackhorse, from the Smithsonian in DC to the Northern Cheyenne in Lame Deer, MT to be interred with Blackhorse at the tribal cemetery. There was a ceremony held at the reservation and at the conclusion, a bald eagle soared overhead and then broke away until he flew out of sight. A reporter asked Ben his thoughts and he deferred to the tribal elders as to their thoughts. They all said it was the Spirit of Blackhorse retrieving what he'd left behind to take it back to the Spirit World.
This past January, Ben was laid to rest on Nighthorse Ranch. At the conclusion of the small service, a bald eagle appeared in the cloudless, blue sky, flying over our contingent. We stopped in awe and watched it break away and fly until we could no longer see it. Coincidence? Never! It was the Spirit of Nighthorse on his final journey and it was good.
Thanks for being a great friend. Until we meet again, Aho Ben!
Dave Devendorf
April 2026
Senator Ben Nighthorse CampbellApril 13, 1933 - December 30, 2025
Consulting Areas
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American Indian / Alaska Native Affairs
Natural Resources (including Water and Public Lands)
Transportation and Trucking
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