Richard W. Soell

Richard W. Soell, 76 LAKE SAN MARCOS -- Richard W, Soell, co-founder of Gibbs & Soell, Inc., now the country's largest independent public relations firm that was not affiliated with an advertising agency, died Thursday, May 3, 2012. Soell began his public relations career with Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. in St. Louis and subsequently served as assistant public relations manager for Hallmark Cards, Inc. in Kansas City, Mo. After working with two smaller advertising and public relations agencies in Akron/Canton, Ohio, he spent four years in New York City as client services manager for Burson-Marsteller, now the world's largest public relations firm. He and his partner founded Gibbs & Soell, Inc. in 1971. He sold his interest in the firm in 1981, lived in Carmel, Calif., and moved to Lake San Marcos five years ago. A graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, he also worked as a newspaper reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal and the St. Louis Post Dispatch. He is survived by his wife, Leslie; his son, Stephen of Denver, Colo.; and two daughters, Susan Carrington of Dallas, and Sarah Anne of Carmel. There will be a celebration of his life at 11:30 a.m., on Sunday, May 20th at United Church at the Lake, 1132 San Marino Dr. #205, Lake San Marcos, CA. Sign the Guest Book online obits.nctimes.com