Richard Van Bell

1944 - 2025

Richard Van Bell

March 13, 1944 - August 18, 2025

Richard J. Van Bell, Jr., 81, of Naples, FL, formerly of East Moline, IL, passed away Monday, August 18, 2025, in Naples, FL surrounded by his family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Christ the King Church, Moline. Visitation will be 4 to 6:00 p.m. Friday at Rafferty Funeral Home, 2111-1st St A, Moline. Entombment will be at St. Mary Cemetery, East Moline. In lieu of Flowers, memorials can be made to Alleman High School or The Prostate Cancer Foundation.

Richard was born March 13, 1944, in Moline, IL, the son of Richard J. Van Bell, Sr. and Alice (Verslype) Van Bell. He married Diane (Dobbelaere) Van Bell on January 21, 1967, at St. Mary's Church, East Moline.

Richard attended St. Anne Grade School and United Township High School, East Moline, IL and graduated from Northern Illinois University. He began his career with Deere and Company in 1962 with assignments in manufacturing and marketing, eventually moving into Human Resources. In 1980 he assumed the corporate responsibility of Manager, Health Care. He oversaw Deere and Company's health benefits program and the development of alternative health care delivery systems. In 1983 he became director of Corporate medical operations. In 1985 he helped establish Deere's managed health care operation, Heritage National Health plan which grew to 390,000 enrollees in eight states. This eventually led to John Deere Family Health Centers in conjunction with The Mayo Clinic. These primary health care centers provided medical services to Deere employees, dependents, retirees and commercial clients. He retired as President, John Deere Healthcare in 1997, remaining active in managed healthcare for several years. During his career Richard served on the board of the Washington Business Group on Health, as Chairman of the Health and Human Services National Industry Council for HMOs and was a member of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations Advisory Group.

Richard was a long-time member of Short Hills Country Club and Quail Creek Country Club of Naples. He enjoyed reading historical novels, traveling, and was an avid golfer most of his life. The highlight of his golf career was the privilege of playing Augusta National Golf Club in 1995. He scored one hole-in-one at Short Hills, the celebration of which became family lore.

Survivors include his wife, Diane; children, Marc (Debbie) Van Bell, Whitefish Bay, WI, and Chad (Jodi) Van Bell, Clive, IA; and was a loving grandfather to his grandchildren, Caroline, Benjamin, Sarah and Jenna. Additionally, he leaves behind a brother, Greg (Shari) Roets, St. Augustine, FL; an aunt, Marge Collins, East Moline, IL; and a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bill and Margy Dobbelaere, Bettendorf, IA; two nieces; two nephews; and several cousins. Richard was preceded in death by his parents; and stepfather, Archie Roets.

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