Bryan Bell

BELL Bryan Bell, civic and church activist and businessman, died March 4 at the age of 90. He was a lifelong resident of New Orleans. He received an undergraduate degree from Princeton and a master's at Tulane. Mr. Bell landed on Normandy beach in World War II and was a 1st lieutenant platoon leader in General Patton's army. He received a Bronze Star, a Combat Infantry Badge, a Presidential Unit Citation and a Unit Award of Croix de Guerre with Palm. The government of France knighted him and gave him the Legion d'Honneur, France's highest award, for his service. He was a founder of the D-Day Museum. Mr. Bell was an entrepreneur in oil and real estate. He taught the Economics of Real Estate at Tulane's architecture school and frequently lectured on entrepreneurship. Mr. Bell was committed to strengthening the city. He cofounded and served as board chair of the Metropolitan Leadership Forum. He chaired the boards of the United Way, the Bureau of Governmental Research, the Metropolitan Area Committee, and the Family Service Society. He served on the boards of the Lighthouse for the Blind, Ochsner Medical Foundation, and Committee for a Better New Orleans. Mr. Bell was actively engaged in religious life, especially through Trinity Episcopal Church where he served as senior warden and senior counselor. He sat on the boards of the Federation of Churches and the Trinity Christian Community, co-chaired the New Orleans Jesus Video Project, and chaired the Christian Spirit of '76. Mr. Bell was also committed to bettering education in the city. He cofounded Trinity Episcopal School, was its first administrator, and served as chairman of its board. He cofounded the Trinity Educational Enrichment Program, served on the boards of St. Martin's and Country Day, and was a "Partner in Education" at Fischer Elementary. Among Mr. Bell's many awards for Christian and civic service were the Times-Picayune Loving Cup. The Federation of Churches named him Man of the Year in 1977. He authored two books: Lessons in Lifemanship and An Infantry Platoon Leader in Patton's Army, both available at www.bbll.com. He was a member of the Boston Club, the Pickwick Club, the Wyvern Club, and the Hospitaller Order of St. Lazarus. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Rubie C. Bell; five children: Bee Gosnell (Peter), Bettina Larson (Gary), Bryan Bell, Jr. (Victoria), Beverly Bell, and Barbara Barrett (John); and 12 grandchildren. Donations toward a scholarship fund in Mr. Bell's memory, to enable a child to attend Trinity Episcopal School, can be sent to the school at 1315 Jackson Ave., 70130. Contributions can also be made to a Metropolitan Leadership Forum Endowment Fund; checks should be written to the Greater New Orleans Foundation, 1055 St. Charles Avenue, 70130. In both cases, please note on the memo line that the contribution is in memory of Mr. Bell. A memorial service will be held Monday, March 9, 4:00, at Trinity Church, followed by a visitation there. To view and sign the guest book, please go to www.lakelawnmetairie.com/obituaries.html.