Obituary: Richard Bell

During his youth, Rich lived in several Washington and Oregon communities, including Tillamook, Cloverdale, and Stevenson. In his early years Rich lived with various family members and friends and described himself as “a bit of a juvenile delinquent.” But those early years helped shape his adventurous spirit and his lifelong love of fishing and hunting.

Rich eventually settled with his mother in Vancouver, Washington, attending Shumway Junior High School and Fort Vancouver High School, where he was an exceptional athlete in both football and basketball. After losing sight in one eye, he shifted his athletic focus to wrestling — a move that would change his life. With encouragement from his best friend, Mike Greenwood, Rich joined the wrestling team and quickly excelled. In 1959, just two years after taking up the sport, he won the Washington State High School Wrestling Championship in the 168-pound class and was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler. He went on to wrestle for Clark College, and after wrestling a standout exhibition match at the Portland Multnomah Athletic Club (MAC) against a national champion from Iowa, Rich was offered a scholarship to wrestle for the University of Washington (UW).

At the UW, Rich enjoyed a distinguished wresting career, winning the Vic Markov Trophy as the program’s most outstanding wrestler for three consecutive years (1961-1963). In 1963 he became the University’s first wrestling All American, taking fourth place at the NCAA Division 1 Nationals at 177 lbs. He also won the Pacific Coast Intercollegiate Championship in 1962 and 1963 and narrowly missed qualifying for the 1964 Olympic Games, falling just one match short.

While at the University of Washington, he met the one and only love of his life, Jane Alice Austin. The couple wed in 1963 and began their lifelong romance together — rooted in faith, love, and laughter. He graduated in 1964 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Forestry Engineering and enjoyed a long and successful career beginning with the U.S. Forest Service and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and then working with several private forestry and manufacturing firms, including Kettle Falls Lumber, Rainier Manufacturing, Crown Zellerbach, and Fort Vancouver Co-Ply.

Rich and Jane started a family soon after marrying and three sons followed: Stoner, Dev, and Austin. Rich was a wonderful husband and devoted father who loved raising and mentoring his sons. He always made sure they were busy in sports, church and work. In 1979 he moved his family to the White Salmon area where he and Jane lived until his death. Rich obtained his Professional Surveying License while working with the DNR and, in 1995, he joined his sons at Bell Design Co. in Bingen, serving as senior land surveyor until his retirement in 2006.

Rich was known for his quick wit and playful humor. He was a bit of a joker and always had a smart remark or an unexpected wrestling move to use during a handshake. Even as he faced the challenges of dementia later in life, he never lost his spark, sense of humor, or his famously strong grip during a sneak lightning-fast take-down attempt.

Throughout his life, Rich made many close and cherished friends, both in his private life and his professional careers. During his early career in forestry, while driving through DNR timberlands near Colville, Washington, Rich heard Jesus Christ asking him to follow Him. He pulled his truck over and prayed, joined a local church in Colville and was baptized. From that day forward, Rich lived his life as a Christian to the best of his ability and understanding, loving his fellow man with humility and compassion and always encouraging others to seek the Lord. As a devoted follower of Christ, Rich always loved worshiping and fellowshipping in his home church, Grace Baptist.

Rich will forever be remembered as a man of integrity, faith, love, and peace. He gave of his time and self to others, always putting their needs above his own. He was a physically strong man, but was always kind and gentle. He was a devoted husband, loving father, proud grandfather, loyal friend, and faithful servant of his Lord Jesus Christ. He led by example, showing his family and all who knew him what it meant to live with purpose, kindness, and love.

He spent his final days doing what he had always done best — cherishing his wife Jane, delighting in his children and grandchildren, and sharing love and laughter with all.

A memorial service celebrating Richard’s life and his promotion to eternal life in Christ will be held at Covenant Hood River Church on Saturday, Nov. 29 at 3:30 pm. All friends and family are welcome. A meal will be served following the service.