Former President Barak Obama honored his late chef, Tafari Campbell, who died near his Martha’s Vineyard estate.
On Thursday, Obama, 61, took to his Instagram page to pay tribute to Campbell. He shared his former chef “showed us what true character looks like.”
“He believed that actions speak louder than words. And he used his immense gifts to bring people together, provide comfort, and spread joy,” he wrote, adding “I’ll miss him every day.”
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Campell’s body was recovered on the morning of July 24 after the paddleboarder went missing on Edgartown Great Pond on Martha’s Vineyard, according to a news release from the Massachusetts State Police (MSP).
“Mr. Campbell was employed by former President Obama and was visiting Martha’s Vineyard at the time of his passing. President and Mrs. Obama were not present at the residence at the time of the accident,” the release noted.
According to the Massachusetts State Police (MSP), “MSP Underwater Recovery Unit divers made the recovery after the victim’s body was located by a Massachusetts Environmental Police Officers deploying side-scan sonar from a boat.”
Campbell was 43 years old.
In a joint statement by the Obamas to People following his passing, they remembered him as “a talented sous chef” upon their first meeting. They also described Campbell as someone who “was passionate about food and its ability to bring people together.”
“In the years that followed, we got to know him as a warm, fun, extraordinarily kind person who made all of our lives a little brighter,” the statement continued.
The couple concluded their statement by expressing their grief over Tafari Campbell’s tragic death.
“That’s why, when we were getting ready to leave the White House, we asked Tafari to stay with us, and he generously agreed. He’s been part of our lives ever since, and our hearts are broken that he’s gone,” they said.
