Richard Thomas Bell

1930 - 2017

Richard Thomas Bell

Knoxville , TN

Richard Thomas Bell, age 87, of Knoxville, passed away on February 9, 2017, after a brief illness. He was a member of Christ Covenant Presbyterian Church, PCA, and had been a fifty-year member of West Hills Presbyterian Church PCA, where he served as Elder for many years, and taught adult Sunday School. He was a member of the Gideon's International, a Fellow of The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, a 32-degree Mason, a member of First Families of TN, a Kentucky Colonel, and a Tennessee Colonel. He was an Eagle Scout and was involved in scouting up until his death. He served as Chairman of the Eagle Board of Review in the Toqua District, and served as a Scout leader in the Sequoyah District. He was the recipient of the Silver Beaver Award for his service to the Scouts, as well as Outstanding Eagle Award.

He was predeceased by his parents, O.R. and Quincey Bell. A graduate of Carson-Newman and U.T. and retired from Martin Marietta, in Oak Ridge after more than forty years as a physicist. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Margaret Gass Bell; son and daughter-in-law, Thomas Bell, MD and Sharon Bell, of Huntsville, AL; and daughter, son-in-law and grandson, Patrice Lee Minteer, William Minteer, MD, and James Lee, all of Knoxville.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, that contributions are made to Christ Covenant Presbyterian Church or to the Boy Scouts of America, 1333 Old Weisgarber Road, Knoxville, TN 37909. Arrangements are provided by Berry Highland Memorial, with the Reverend Jim Barnes and Reverend Fredrick Fowler III officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM on Sunday, February 12, 2017, at Berry Highland Memorial, 5315 Kingston Pike, with a 2:00 PM service following. Friends may leave their thoughts and memories at www.highlandmemorialknoxville.com.