Richard Gordon Bell

1928 - 2025

Richard Gordon Bell

Jan 31, 1928 - Jan 16, 2025

Richard Gordon Bell, two weeks shy of 97, passed away on Thursday, January 16, 2025, two months after the passing of his wife of 75 years, Evalyn.

Born in 1928, to Ralph and Ruth Bell in Bedford, OH, Richard graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1949 and from Western Reserve (now Case Western Reserve) University School of Law in 1951. He earned a Master of Laws degree from Western Reserve in 1961. He married Evalyn Crawford Bell in 1950 and had three children.

Richard enlisted in the Army in 1945 at the age of 17; he was a World War II veteran.

He practiced law with his father, Ralph W. Bell (and later others) from 1951 to 1965. He became a Professor of Law at Wake Forest University School of Law in 1965, retiring in 1990. He was much admired by all his (good) students.

Richard was an avid and active Member and Officer of Rotary Club, joining in 1951 and recording perfect attendance for more than 65 years.

Known mainly as an intellectual and scholar, Richard was also an active member and leader in many Churches, sang in choirs and choruses from high school through his Church days, was the last Justice of the Peace for Bedford Township (Ohio courts were then reorganized) and a layer of asphalt (the dirtiest job he ever had). With Evalyn, he was a passionate supporter of the disabled community in Winston-Salem, instrumental in the founding of The Enrichment Center.

He was the much-loved benevolent patriarch of his family. Dry of humor, deep of thought, patient and kind.

Richard was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Evalyn; and his daughter, Lavonn. He is survived by his sons, Gordon and Kenneth (his wife Gayle, a grateful daughter-in-law); grandchildren; and great-grands, the youngest his only great-granddaughter.

Richard and Evalyn's 75 years of marriage and life together is an example of strength and loyalty.

Richard was a member of Ardmore Baptist Church.

The service to commemorate his life will be held at Forsyth Memorial Park's Mausoleum Chapel, 3185 Yadkinville Road, Winston-Salem, NC, at 11 a.m., Wednesday, February 5.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials made in Richard's name to one of the following entities he held dear- Ardmore Baptist Church: 501 Miller St, Winston-Salem, NC 27103; The Enrichment Center: 1006 Marshall St SW, Winston-Salem, NC 27101; or UMAR (services for developmentally disabled adults): PO Box 480291, Charlotte, NC 28269. Condolences may be shared online at www.salemfh.com.

Salem Funeral & Cremation Service

2951 Reynolda Rd., Winston-Salem, NC 27106