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holding them outside Perth for the first time, in places such as Kinross and Auchterarder.
Colleagues said Cllr Campbell continued to work on projects such as the Tay Cities Deal and finalising the council’s budget right up until his death.
A minute’s silence was held at the strategic policy and resources committee meeting in the city chambers on Wednesday – the first council meeting after Cllr Campbell passed away.
Cllr Murray Lyle, deputy leader of the council, said: “It is with the greatest shock and sadness that Ian celebrates his election win for Ward 4 Highland at the Perth and Kinross election count at Bell’s Sports Centre, Perth, in May last year we have learned our friend and colleague Ian Campbell has died suddenly.
“As an elected member for Highland Perthshire since 2007, leader of the council’s Conservative group since 2016, and most recently as leader of Perth and Kinross Council, Ian has been a dedicated and passionate advocate for this area.
“His commitment to education, healthcare and championing rural Perthshire was clear to everyone who met him. He was dedicated to his duties as a local councillor, attending each of the 11 community councils in Highland Perthshire. I was proud to work alongside him.
“The whole council sends its condolences to Ian’s wife Pam, his daughters and grandchildren at this very sad time.”
Cllr Dave Doogan, leader of the SNP opposition at Perth and Kinross Council, echoed the tributes.
He said: “I am shocked to learn today of the death of my colleague, Councillor Ian Campbell.
“Ian was a long-serving member of Perth and Kinross Council and while we of course held differing political views, I am greatly saddened by his sudden passing.
“I have spoke with Cllr Murray Lyle, the deputy leader of the council, and with the council’s chief executive to offer whatever assistance I or the SNP group can provide at this challenging time.
“Primarily though, my thoughts are with Ian’s family during what must be a very difficult process of coming to terms with this sudden and most profound loss.”
Cllr Xander McDade, an independent who represented the Highland ward alongside Cllr Campbell, said: “Ian served our ward for nearly 11 years, often championing local issues, latterly rural access to broadband.
“He had his own way of getting things done which was often a more behind the scenes approach.
“He was a passionate advocate of the union and was never afraid to express that. My thoughts, and I’m sure those of all our constituents, are with his family at this difficult time.”
Fellow Highland ward elected member Cllr Mike Williamson said: “I am absolutely shocked, the whole community is.
“Our thoughts are with Ian’s wife and his daughters at this time. Everyone in the Highland Perthshire community has said it is unbelievable and for me personally it has been quite a shock.”
Cllr Pete Barrett, leader of the Lib Dems at the local authority, said: “The news of Ian’s sudden death was a terrible shock and I want to send condolences from all my colleagues to Ian’s wife Pam and the family.
“I will remember Ian as a council leader with a mission. A staunch Tory with a wicked sense of humour who enjoyed the political hurley burley, who gave as good as he got and didn’t bear a grudge.
“The most telling mark of the man is the commitment he demonstrated as council leader to the end. He did not reveal his battle with cancer or let it get in the way of delivering his first budget in that he was fiercely private and did not want the attention.”
Cllr Alasdair Bailey, who represents the Labour Party at PKC, said: “Ian will be sorely missed by everyone at Perth and Kinross Council.
“Although we were of different political persuasions, he was able to meet in the middle to do right by the people of Perth and Kinross.
“My thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.”
Lib Dem Cllr Willie Wilson, one of the longest-serving councillors in Scotland, said the whole council will miss him “enormously”.
He said: “Ian Campbell had the rare quality of being able to get along with folk from many walks of life.
“His strong political views never overwhelmed his humanity or his generosity. He was a great person to work with and we will miss him enormously.”