Robert D. Bell

Robert D. Bell, 97, of Killbuck, rode into his last sunset on Thursday, November 02, 2023, following a brief illness. Born outside of Nashville, OH, on August 24, 1926 to Wallace and Helen, he married Sara Chaney on April 09, 1950; she preceded him in death.
After attending Nashville and Glenmont schools, Bob and his family moved to Telluride, Colorado, where he graduated from Delta High School in 1944. From late 1944 until his honorable discharge as Corporal in November, 1946, he served his country as part of the 20th Army Air Forces on Saipan Island. Upon returning not only to his country but to Holmes County, he met and married Sara where, after (and while) driving trucks and serving as treasurer for the then-nascent West Holmes School District, he found his calling making the dreams of others a reality with a handshake and an unwavering belief in the best angels of our nature working at the Killbuck Savings Bank, climbing the ranks from mailroom to president and CEO where, from 1971 until his (first) retirement, in 1991, he helped transform a small local bank into the pillar of the community that it is today. He would – eventually – retire fully at a spry 90, from his post-banking vocation of driving across three+ states to pick up and drop off cars for Chuck Nicholson and dedicate himself fully to his passion for horseback riding, his 70-year membership in the Methodist Church, and to mowing the straightest lines ever committed to a pasture.
Forever the avid horseman, community figure, animal lover, and inspiration (the most unassuming inspiration one could ask for) Bob – Mr. Bell, Robert, BobBob, Bobby, Uncle Bob, Grandpa, Dad – is survived by his grandson, Tyler (Katie) Weaver; nieces Buffy (Jim) Mirich, Becky (Rod) Starr, and Brenda (David) Nordin; nephews Brett (Deborah) Bell and Craig (Mimi) Lawhead; grandnieces and nephews Olivia, Brett, and Ryan Mirich, Alex Starr, Megan (Jake) Bell Brown, John Nordin, and Jessamyn (Jason) Rucki; and a wellspring of friends, colleagues, and lives blessed by a moment or a lifetime in his presence. In addition to his parents and his wife, Bob was preceded in death by his daughter Vicky, sister Betty, and brothers Ben and Billy.
Services will be held at 1pm on Thursday, November 9, 2023 at Killbuck Methodist Church, 410 N Main St, in Killbuck; the family will receive guests and friends at the church prior to the service, from 11 AM to 1PM. A luncheon will take place immediately after the service, and be followed by a private family burial. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Holmes County Humane Society would be most appreciated.
Bob believed, always, in our limitless potential and capacity for kindness; to carry on his legacy, let's follow the example of humility, service, and honor that he so steadfastly lived. He is - and we, his family, are - forever grateful to you, this loving community he so cherished.
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