Dr. Robert Bell September 25, 1932 – November 15, 2018
It is with sadness that we announce the calm and dignified death of Robert Bell resulting from congestive heart failure. He is survived by his wife and best girl of over 70 years, Alice Bell. Bob was born in Windsor, Ontario to Robert and Barbara Bell, who instilled in him and in his brother Doug the values of hard work, self-reliance, service to community and kindness to all. Dr. Bell started his practice in family medicine in Windsor after graduating from Queen’s University in 1956. At that time, he was one of only two family physicians in the city delivering babies. It remained an almost daily occurrence to the end of his life that someone would say: « He delivered me! » Devotion to patients led to Dr. Bell being loved and revered by all in his care. In addition to house calls and seeing patients at the office, Dr. Bell twice served as Chief of Medical Staff at Metropolitan General Hospital. He was recognized by the Ontario Medical Association with the Glenn Sawyer Service Award for his outstanding service to the medical community. Even after winding down his family practice, Dr. Bell continued to be in demand, assisting surgeons in the operating room. Dr. Bell chose to conclude his long career in medicine at the age of 82. While still in medical school, Bob married and started a family with Alice. Together they raised three daughters, Barbara (Babs), Susan and Nancy and a son, Robert. Bob and Alice combined devotion to family, Bob’s work, Alice’s community endeavours and a lively social life, including success over the years at major curling bonspiels and on the golf course. Even though life was busy, Bob loved to do all of the chores required at home. Dandelions never had a chance in the lush lawns he kept; he tuned cars, winterized lawn tractors and was always interested in learning how to do odd jobs at home and for others, whether it was electrical work, plumbing or carpentry. His interest in how things worked led to long volunteer hours as a leader during builds with Habitat for Humanity. Giving back to community was always essential, and he shared his good fortune with regular donations to charities that made a difference. If a life well-lived is lived for others, Bob Bell had a truly wonderful life. Bob and Alice earned and enjoyed a large circle of caring friends, some of whom date back to kindergarten, and many of whom remain to mourn along with the family, including their dear friends, Dr. Keith MacLeod and his wife Lorraine. A tragic accident took the lives of Nancy and her husband Scott Warrener and their son Robbie, after which Bob and Alice raised their surviving son Scott Warrener as their child. Bob and Alice also endured with stoicism the death of their grandson Cameron Robert Bell. Alice and Scott are joined by Babs and Tim Lee, Rob Bell and Diane Walker, and Susan Bell Yester and Martin Yester in mourning their loss. Bob was a loving Grandpa to, and will be missed by, his other grandchildren David and Julianne Lee, Adam and Jess Lee, and Allison Bell and Bradley Bolton, as well as his great-grandchildren Avery and Sophie Lee and Olivia Lee. He and his brother Doug continued at least weekly visits until the last week of Bob’s life, and Doug’s children, Bob, Margie and Jamie and their families will also miss him. Most recently Bob was a keen supporter of The Downtown Mission of Windsor and The Hospice of Windsor and Es County. If desired, please consider a donation in his name to one of these organizations, or to the charity of your choice. Cremation has taken place and arrangements have been entrusted to Windsor Chapel Funeral Home (Banwell Chapel). On line condolences may be left at at www.windsorchapel.com A celebration of Bob’s life will be held at a later date.
And did you get what you wanted from this life, even so? I did. And what did you want? To call myself beloved, to feel myself beloved on this earth.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Robert Bell.
Décès pour la Ville: Windsor, Province: Ontario
