Obituary for Richard "Dick" A. Bell
Richard “Dick” A. Bell, 87, of Bellefonte, passed away on Monday, January 17, 2022, at Mount Nittany Medical Center in State College. Born on August 23, 1934, in Bradford, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Floyd Thomas and Margaret (Rumberger) Bell. On November 30, 1957, in Bradford, he married the love of his life, Mary Ann (Gildersleeve) Bell, who survives him at home after sharing more than 64 years of marriage together.
Dick graduated from Lock Haven University in 1956 with his bachelor’s degree in Education. After college, he served in the United States Army from February 1957 until he was honorably discharged in January 1959. He worked as a health and physical education teacher for Bellefonte High school for 35 years until his retirement in 1991.
In addition to his wife, Mary Ann, he is survived by their four children, Robert Thomas (Michele) of Centreville, Virginia, James Michael of Anchorage, Alaska, Karen Lynne Heverly (Michael) of Severn, Maryland, and Patricia Joann Smith (Christopher) of Centreville, Virginia; six grandchildren, Matthew Heverly (Samantha), Brian Heverly, Aidan Smith, Abigail Smith, Emily Peterson (Kaeden), and Molly Art (Ty), and one great grandchild, Remington Peterson. Also surviving are three sisters, Eleanor Murphy of Englewood, Ohio, Ruth Priest of Milton, Connecticut, and Barbara Metcalf of DeLand, Florida.
Along with his parents, he was predeceased by one brother, Clyde Eugene Bell.
Dick was a life member of the Trinity United Methodist Church in Bellefonte. Additionally, he was a life member of the Elks Lodge #1094 and a member of the Undines Fire Company. Throughout his life he was an avid fan of essentially all sports – not really having a favorite team, he just loved watching a good game! This helped him discover his passion for adapted physical education, in addition to health and general physical education - allowing him to become the teacher that loved going to work every day and interacting with his students. Dick also coached football and basketball for Bellefonte High School for 30+ years. The values and skills that he instilled into his students will play out in many generations to come.
Friends will be received on Saturday, January 22, 2022, from 10-11 a.m., at Trinity United Methodist Church, 128 W. Howard Street, Bellefonte. Funeral services will immediately follow at 11 a.m. at the church with Pastor Doug Conway officiating. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are under the direction of Wetzler Funeral Service, Inc. in Bellefonte.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Richard’s memory to Trinity United Methodist Church, 128 W. Howard Street, Bellefonte, PA 16823, or to the Coach Bell Memorial Scholarship with checks made payable to the Bellefonte Education Foundation (memo – Coach Bell Memorial Scholarship), and mailed to 318 N. Allegheny Street, Bellefonte, PA 16823.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.wetzlerfuneralhome.com.
Dick graduated from Lock Haven University in 1956 with his bachelor’s degree in Education. After college, he served in the United States Army from February 1957 until he was honorably discharged in January 1959. He worked as a health and physical education teacher for Bellefonte High school for 35 years until his retirement in 1991.
In addition to his wife, Mary Ann, he is survived by their four children, Robert Thomas (Michele) of Centreville, Virginia, James Michael of Anchorage, Alaska, Karen Lynne Heverly (Michael) of Severn, Maryland, and Patricia Joann Smith (Christopher) of Centreville, Virginia; six grandchildren, Matthew Heverly (Samantha), Brian Heverly, Aidan Smith, Abigail Smith, Emily Peterson (Kaeden), and Molly Art (Ty), and one great grandchild, Remington Peterson. Also surviving are three sisters, Eleanor Murphy of Englewood, Ohio, Ruth Priest of Milton, Connecticut, and Barbara Metcalf of DeLand, Florida.
Along with his parents, he was predeceased by one brother, Clyde Eugene Bell.
Dick was a life member of the Trinity United Methodist Church in Bellefonte. Additionally, he was a life member of the Elks Lodge #1094 and a member of the Undines Fire Company. Throughout his life he was an avid fan of essentially all sports – not really having a favorite team, he just loved watching a good game! This helped him discover his passion for adapted physical education, in addition to health and general physical education - allowing him to become the teacher that loved going to work every day and interacting with his students. Dick also coached football and basketball for Bellefonte High School for 30+ years. The values and skills that he instilled into his students will play out in many generations to come.
Friends will be received on Saturday, January 22, 2022, from 10-11 a.m., at Trinity United Methodist Church, 128 W. Howard Street, Bellefonte. Funeral services will immediately follow at 11 a.m. at the church with Pastor Doug Conway officiating. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are under the direction of Wetzler Funeral Service, Inc. in Bellefonte.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Richard’s memory to Trinity United Methodist Church, 128 W. Howard Street, Bellefonte, PA 16823, or to the Coach Bell Memorial Scholarship with checks made payable to the Bellefonte Education Foundation (memo – Coach Bell Memorial Scholarship), and mailed to 318 N. Allegheny Street, Bellefonte, PA 16823.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.wetzlerfuneralhome.com.