Bell, Robert Spensley 1922-2011

BELL, JORDAN, BERLIN, ACHESON, SCOTT, SABOTTA, HANSEN, ROBIE, HALSNE, BALLANTINE

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 2/13/2018 at 11:27:34

Robert S. Bell
February 22, 1922 - March 28, 2011
Born in Blairsburg, IA
Resided in Clive, IA

Robert Spensley Bell, 89, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 28, 2011, at his home in the Deerfield Retirement Community. Bob was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. His zest for life, generous heart and sense of humor made everyone around him love him. In Bob's world…colleagues, employees, customers, and competitors became friends, friends became family, and family was everything to him. Bob will be remembered not only as a man with a host of friends, but also a man without an enemy.

Robert Bell was born February 22, 1922 (2-22-22) in Blairsburg, Iowa to Joseph Whitfield Bell and Hilda Matilda (Hanson) Bell. He moved to Des Moines after completing high school and attending Webster City Junior College. It was there he met Dorothy Anita Jordan on a blind date arranged by his brother and sister-in-law, Maurice and Ranny. Bob and Anita were married on May 4, 1945 in Norfolk, Virginia where Bob was stationed as a Navy pilot.

Bob and his brother Maurice founded Bell Brothers Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. in 1955. He maintained an active interest in the company until his death. Always involved in the community, Bob was a member of Windsor Heights Lutheran Church for over 50 years, the Better Business Bureau (past chairman), Westgate Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, ZaGaZig Shrine, Royal Order of Jesters, Diplomats, the Downtown Chapter of Rotary Club International, and a founding member of the Greater Des Moines Heating and Cooling Association. He was also an avid hunter and sportsman.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Dorothy "Anita" Bell of Deerfield Retirement Community; daughter, Janet (Frank) Berlin of West Des Moines; son, Grant (Pam) Bell of Clive; four granddaughters, Brooke (Travis) Acheson, Brette (Fred) Scott, Devon (Vince) Sabotta, and Courtney Bell; and seven great-grandchildren, Isabelle, Emma and Gretta Acheson, Evan and Frankie Scott, and Azure and Quentin Sabotta.

He is also survived by his sister, June Hansen of Chicago Heights, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Maurice Bell; and three sisters, Lorene Robie, Helen Halsne and Carol Ballantine.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, March 31 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be Friday, April 1 at 10:00 a.m. Both will be held at Iles Funeral Homes-Dunn's Chapel, 2121 Grand Avenue, Des Moines. Burial will follow at Resthaven Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association or Shriners Hospital for Children.

ARRANGEMENTS BY ILES FUNERAL HOMES ~ DUNN'S CHAPEL. ~ The Des Moines (IA) Register Fri 01 Apr 2011.