Bob Bell
In Memoriam
-
Training Chair
- and many other positions
- during 40 years
including
20 years as a Scout Master of Troop 11
Feb. 4, 1942 to Jan. 14, 2006
1970 - Silver Bear (District Award of Merit) = 
1973 - Silver Beaver (Council Award of Merit) = 
1994 - Silver Antelope (Western Region Award of Merit) = 
Scroll down if you don't see the pictures...
Obituary: Robert E. Bell guided many through teaching, Boy Scouts
By Niesha Lofing -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Sunday, January 22, 2006
Story appeared in Metro section, Page B6
Always the educator and Boy Scout leader, Robert E. Bell, 63, died doing what he loved most - teaching and guiding youth.
Mr. Bell, a beloved Oakmont High School teacher and respected scouter of 45 years, died Jan. 14 of a heart attack during a winter camping competition for the Scouts in Cisco Grove, east of Truckee.
Mr. Bell, of Roseville, retired from teaching industrial technology last year, making him the last original teacher to have taught at Oakmont High since it opened in 1966.
"He was a teacher because he wanted to help children be better adults as they grew up," said Kathleen Bell, his high school sweetheart and wife of 41 years.
"That was his goal with both teaching and scouting."
While a student at California State University, Chico, Mr. Bell became involved in the Boy Scouts of America. He was required to complete community service and looked into working with a local Boy Scout troop.
He became a scoutmaster and served in many capacities with the Boy Scouts for decades.
He was scoutmaster for Roseville's Boy Scout Troop 11 for 25 years and training chairman for the Iron Horse District.
Since 1973, Mr. Bell also served each year on the staff of the Boy Scout National Jamboree.
Frank Bailey, 55, of Loomis, was a Boy Scout in neighboring Troop 12 when Mr. Bell was scoutmaster of Troop 11. Bailey grew up alongside Mr. Bell as the two units would compete against each other through the years. "He was wonderful," Bailey said. "He really dealt with kids on their level and was a great role model to follow. "He had a solid moral character and tried to pass that on to the boys underneath him."
Mr. Bell's dedication was recognized by his peers.
He earned the District Award of Merit and the Silver Beaver Award, for distinguished service to youth at the local council level, which consists of 13 counties.
Mr. Bell also received the Silver Antelope Award, the Boy Scouts of America Western Region honor for service.
"He was a gentle man who had a passion for Scouting," said Dave Fairchild, 60, of Rocklin, a fellow scoutmaster and friend of Mr. Bell's. "People all the way back in Tennessee are mourning our loss." Fairchild said one of his fondest memories of his friend is from their twice-yearly outdoor leader skills training. Both men were fond of airplanes, and when the two would go to the local park to prepare for the training event, Mr. Bell would ask the same question.
" 'Have you ordered the fly-by?' " Fairchild quoted Mr. Bell as saying.
"I'd say 'Yes,' and then a flock of geese would make a very low pass over the park. It'd happen every time."
Mr. Bell also loved spending time with his family, which included two children, Vince, 40, and Tonya, 35, and five grandchildren, Kathleen Bell said. "He was very devoted to his grandchildren," she said.
Teaching was another of Mr. Bell's passions.
At Tuesday night's Roseville Joint Union High School District board of trustees meeting, a moment of silence was taken in honor of Mr. Bell's memory.
Mr. Bell had a gift for teaching all students, said Kathleen Sirovy, Oakmont's principal. "There is a sadness on our campus right now," Sirovy said. "He epitomizes service - he was a Boy Scout 24/7. Bob's role in life was how he could help everybody else."
Mr. Bell was known around campus as the man who could fix anything. "If anything broke in your classroom, you could go to Bob," said Sirovy, who knew Mr. Bell for 34 years.
Mr. Bell also ran the scoreboard clock for Oakmont's football games, missing only one game during his tenure in the position. Sirovy said a memorial will be placed on the school's press box for Mr. Bell.
"The consensus today is that we lost someone who took care of the entire community," she said. "He will be one of the legends and has left a legacy at this school."
Robert Eugene Bell
Born: Feb. 4, 1942 Died: Jan. 14, 2006
Remembered for: His dedication as a teacher at Oakmont High School and as a leader in the Boy Scouts of America
Survived by: Parents John and Lela, of Anderson; wife Kathleen; sisters Marilyn Struble, of Cottonwood, and Joy Fox, of Redding; son Vince, of Roseville, and daughter Tonya Rocha, of Roseville; five grandchildren
Funeral services: 10 a.m. Saturday, Sunset Christian Church, 6900 Destiny Dr., Rocklin. Reception to follow at Oakmont High School, 1710 Cirby Way, Roseville. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Boy Scouts of America Golden Empire Council, P.O. Box 13558, Sacramento, 95853.
serving on the Eagle Board of Reviews
This picture was taken in Fall 1999.
-- AlSO --
One of Bob's favorite activities was