Robert Peter "Bob" Chell Sr

Robert Chell, of Fredonia, Arizona, passed away on Friday, May 9, 2025 after declining health at the age of 83. He was born on March 11, 1942 in Norristown, Pennsylvania, to Roger Woodrow Chell and Frances Elizabeth Carroll. He was the second of five siblings: Joan Elizabeth Chell, Joseph Chell, Charles F Chell, and Mary Ellen Chell. He was baptized as Robert Peter Chell as an infant. Robert, known to friends and family as 'Bob', often played with his brothers, Joseph 'Joe ' and Charles 'Charlie', down by the railroad tracks. He enjoyed many of the childhood pranks that caused his mother to be distressed like a mother would be of three boys. Bob graduated from Norristown High with the class of 1962. He met his sweetheart Marie Leslie Buckingham when she was babysitting neighbors. They dated and were married on June 23, 1962 in the Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Elsmere, Delaware.

Bob started his career as an electronic inspector in Norristown then moved onto a job in Philadelphia using the bus to get back and forth from his budding family. Bob and Marie welcomed Patricia Ann Chell to their lives in 1963. The company moved to Willow Grove, Pennsylvania where Bob and Marie found a house to raise their children with the additions of Robert Peter Chell (Jr),1964, James Joseph Chell, 1968, and Bernadette Chell, 1970. In 1970, Bob bought an old school bus and converted it into a home on wheels and the family moved to Casper, Wyoming. There, Bob had an apprenticeship with Caterpillar as a diesel mechanic. Their last child, Daniel Chell, 1974, was born before the family moved to Mesa, Arizona with Caterpillar. In 1976, Bob found some land in Fredonia, Arizona, and a mechanic position at the Kaibab Saw Mill. The family then moved to a homestead in the southwest area of Fredonia, Arizona. The family took the missionary discussions and were baptized in January 1977 and confirmed members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Bob and Marie lived in Fredonia, Arizona for several years before moving to Silver Springs, Nevada. Returning to Fredonia, AZ in 1994 where their youngest son moved, returning to the homestead. Then in 2001 Bob and Marie moved to Justin, Texas, near their 2 youngest sons, James and Daniel. After he retired, he became active in doing genealogy. In 2008, Bob and Marie moved back to their Fredonia, Arizona home where Bob then served at the Genealogy library in Kanab, Utah. He helped countless people visiting the Genealogy library and many more online researching their family trees. He was known to many for his infectious chuckles and that he loved to bring in candy to the Genealogy library earning the nickname of the 'Candy Man'. Bob was an insightful man who always asked deep questions in conversation. He had several international penpals and often posted on Facebook.

Bob is preceded in death by his wife, Marie Leslie Buckingham Chell (2023), grandchild Levi House (2023), his brother Charles F Chell (2018) and parents Roger Woodrow Chell (1993) and Frances Elizabeth Carroll (2001). Bob is survived by his siblings: Joan Cook, Joseph Chell, and Mary Ellen Chell, and children (& spouses): Patricia Bagley (Calvin), Robert Chell Jr (Catherine), James Chell (Patricia), Bernadette Duvall (Steve), and Daniel Chell (Andrea). He was quite proud of his 19 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held for Bob on May 26, 2025 at 1pm (Arizona time) at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Fredonia, Arizona, 80 South Main Street, in honor of his life and legacy. He will be buried next to his wife in the Fredonia Arizona Cemetery.

He will be dearly missed by his family and friends who will carry his memory in our hearts. Rest well and like his favorite hymn, 'God be with you until we meet again'.

Services were arranged with Mosdell Mortuary.

You may stream the funeral the day of the service at the following link:

https://zoom.us/j/92511443739