Obituary of Kenneth I Bell

With gratitude for a life well lived, and grief at his passing from this life, the family of Kenneth Bell confirms his death, on Friday, March 12, 2021. Born in Burke, New York on May 17, 1929, he was the only son of the late Arlington and Helen (Chappelle) Bell. Central to his life was his love of family. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Margaret (Anderson) Bell. Additionally, he is survived by his two beloved grandchildren, Kristen (Matthew) Orr and Kenneth Brett Bell, and his much cherished great- grandson, Connor Anderson Orr. He is also survived by his daughter- in- law, Gail Derouchie Bell of Scaly Mountain, North Carolina. Mr. Bell was sadly predeceased by his only son, Scott in 2018. He was also predeceased by his two sisters, Jacqueline Shields and Jean Selkirk. Prompted in part by his love of flying, Mr. Bell joined the U.S. Air Force in 1950, serving as a Flight Engineer on C-119 aircraft. He was honorably discharged in 1954. This experience was formative, resulting in life long friendship. Subsequently, he attended St. Lawrence University. Over the course of his working life, he exercised his talents across a remarkably diverse range of demanding challenges. He met them all. Mr. Bell took a particular pride in the house he and his wife designed and built in 1965. Numerous features of the family home illustrate his singular ingenuity and unique creativity. He knew how to work, and he welcomed it. Mr. Bell and his wife traveled widely in retirement. He was not simply a ‘tourist’, but a traveler in the fullest sense. He immersed himself in the culture and customs of each country visited. He absorbed, and appreciated the richness of each locale, the art, the music, the people and their language; their stories. He understood himself as a guest. The family wishes to thank Judy, Amy, and Norma for their exceptional attentiveness and care. Kenneth Bell will be missed. Greatly. Arrangements have been entrusted to Frary- Spaulding Funeral Home.