evidence: Politics Politician Deaths Who Is Tafari Campbell, the Obamas' Chef Who Died While Paddle Boarding by Martha's Vineyard? The father of two, 45, was remembered fondly by former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama, who called him "a truly wonderful man" By Virginia Chamlee Virginia Chamlee Virginia Chamlee is a Politics Writer at PEOPLE. She has been working at PEOPLE for three years. Her work has previously appeared in The Washington Post, Buzzfeed, Eater, and other outlets. People Editorial Guidelines Published on July 25, 2023 05:05PM EDT Close Tafari Campbell. Photo: The White House/Youtube Tafari Campbell — a former White House sous chef who later became the Obama family's personal chef — is being remembered after he died following a Sunday evening paddle boarding incident near the Obamas' Katama estate on Martha's Vineyard. Campbell, who was 45, was remembered fondly by former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama, who called him "a truly wonderful man" in a joint statement on Monday.