Daniel Alan Bell

Daniel Alan Bell (Dan), born June 22nd, 1971, passed away unexpectedly in his sleep on June 8th, 2024 in Hood River, Oregon. He was 52 at the time of his passing.
He was born in Denver, Colorado and grew up in a loving family. He attended Colorado State University to study medicine, but after a summer in Medford, OR working in the woods, he switched his major to forestry. He worked various jobs, including clerking at a law firm and starting a tree maintenance business, before going back to school and obtaining his J.D. at North Carolina Central University School of Law. He worked for over a decade as a Program Director with The Nature Conservancy in North Carolina and Oregon where he protected long leaf pine and woodpeckers, Willamette Valley grasslands, and oak habitats. He joined Friends of the Columbia Gorge in 2018 as the Land Trust Director where he fell into stride working with many diverse partners to protect lands in the Columbia Gorge. He often represented the organization at public events and inspired attendees with his commitment to environmental justice and preservation and entertained them with his subtle wit and understated humor.
Dan met the love of his life, Heather when they were both working for The Nature Conservancy in Oregon – Heather in the Klamath Basin and Dan in the Willamette Valley. They fell in love over craft beers, a house remodel, Dan's impeccable skill at strategic planning, and a bet on when the Klamath dams would come out. They wed in 2018 at a backyard ceremony at the couple's home in Hood River where they lived happily close to the Columbia River, with lovely views of Mount Hood and Mount Adams. They enjoyed traveling back to Denver each Christmas to spend time and share good food and laughter with Dan's family. Dan never sat still and was always actively building or fixing things around the house or in the yard. He enjoyed gardening, remodeling kitchens, rescuing hound dogs, the Denver Broncos, and recently, mastering sourdough bread. He is survived by his wife Heather Hendrixson, his mother Deanna Miller, his brother Matt Bell and nephew Aiden; and his sister Michelle Keely, her husband Mike and their son Mason; his Aunts Judy Kenoyer, Kristie Knudson, and Peggy Mattingley, and numerous cousins. Dan was preceded in death by his father, Douglas Bell. He was well loved by Heather's family, his many friends and colleagues, and will be greatly missed by his three beloved dogs, Willow, Laurel and Azalea.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, July 13 at a land trust property overlooking the Columbia River.
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center • 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.