Bob was born in Pooleville, Oklahoma. He was named Bobby Lee Bell by his mother Callie. He was known as Bobby Lee through-out his school days in Manson, Washington.
His dad Elijah (Lige) was a sharecropper in Indian Territory (later known as Oklahoma), and farmed cotton and other cash crops. His mother Callie ran the household and took care of all the kids. They had chickens, pigs, milk cows, and a big garden to keep the family fed. Lige and Callie had both been born in Oklahoma but moved whenever Elijah thought it would be beneficial for the family.
When the "dustbowl" hit Oklahoma in the mid 1930's (remember Grapes of Wrath?), the Bell family was once again on the move. This time they migrated to Manson, WA in 1943. The eldest Brother, Loy C. was already there. Bobby, his parents, 5 brothers and 2 sisters piled into a grey 1936 Plymouth with their belongings for the trip. Callie was pregnant with the youngest Brother Larry who was the only child born in Washington.
Following is a list of the "original" Bell Family.
• The parents were Elijah Sylvester Bell and Callie Ovel (nee Church).
• Bobby was child number 6 in a family of 10 children. From oldest to youngest: Loy C. (Rusty), Willie Ray (Ray), Lois, E. S. Jr. (Red), Roy, Bobby (Bob), Donald (Joe), Joyce, Billy (Bill), and Larry.
Once Bob was asked what he did as a child in Manson. He replied, "I remember playing in the dirt with a block of wood for a truck." He then shared a story of how he was the best marble shooter in school, but could never beat his brother Red. In high school he participated in football, basketball and baseball. He even rode in a horse race as a jockey for his Uncle Hap.
He graduated from Manson High School in 1951. After high school, like many of his brothers, he joined the military. To his surprise his birth certificate read Robert Lee Bell. He joined the Air Force as Robert Lee Bell, and then asked to be called Bob. He has been known as Bob ever since. He was stationed in Texas, Moses Lake, and Korea.
Bob's military service provided him the GI Bill which allowed him to go to college. He had always wanted to be a school teacher. He once said, "school teachers always get respect." He also confided that Okies were frowned upon in Manson.
He began his quest for higher learning at Wenatchee Community College in 1955-1956. He attended with brothers Joe and Roy. He transferred to Western Washington College of Education, in Bellingham, WA and earned a bachelor's degree in industrial arts, June 10, 1960.
Bob landed his first teaching job in Hoquiam, WA as a high school shop teacher. He moved his Wife Nola and son Ken there. Son Steve and daughter Ginger were born in neighboring Aberdeen. For eight years he taught high school shop classes and driver's education.
During his tenure in Hoquiam, he met a fellow teacher named Philo. They fell in love. He divorced Nola and married Philo on November 8th, 1968. They recently celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary. Philo has two daughters from a previous marriage, Florence and Roberta. Bob adopted them. Philo loved calling him Robert.
He and his new family moved to Enumclaw where Philo had been offered a teaching job. Bob taught in the Highline School District. Now, he was teaching shop class to middle schoolers and driver's education to high schoolers. He always preferred the middle schoolers. When asked why he responded, "it's easy for me to think like a 13-year-old."
Bob was very handy. He doubled the square footage of their Enumclaw house. He did foundation work, framing, electrical work, and drywall. Nearly everything. They lived there a little over 10 years.
For a while he worked in the summers as a Real Estate Agent. During this time, he found a house in Covington that he fell in love with. He used all of his charm and sales skills to convince his wife that they should buy it. They did, and lived there through the end of both of their teaching careers.
Bob was an active Father, monthly he drove to Hoquiam on a Friday night to pick up Ken, Steve and Ginger, and then drive them home again on Sunday night. Philo made great meals and we often had fun parties.
He taught driver's ed, loved driving us kids around and after he retired from teaching, he got a part-time job driving cars for Enterprise Rent a Car. He said that it gave him: something to do, a social life and some extra spending money.
After retirement, Bob and Philo lost two of their children Steve and Florence on separate occasions. This was heartbreaking for them. Between that, having the other kids out of the house and strewn around the country, and medical reasons they chose to move to Tucson, Arizona.
Throughout the years, Bob and Philo made the annual August trip back to Washington for the Bell Family Reunion. For many years Bob was the breakfast cook. He took great pride in learning and remembering the names of all of his family members and friends, up to 60 people. They all knew him, too. He was Uncle Bob.
Bob was able to transfer his driving job to the Enterprise office in Tucson. He worked right up to the end. He was very well liked. His work buddies held a memorial service for him and over 40 people showed up.
Over the years, Bob explored many hobbies, including: fishing, hunting, golf, and geocaching. He could not sleep in. He always had to get up and get to work on one of his many projects or activities.
Bob was predeceased by: his parents - Lige and Callie; sister Lois; brothers – Roy, Bill, and Larry; children Steve, and Florence.
Bob is survived by:
Wife Philo
Children: Kenneth (Kirkland, WA), Ginger (Tacoma, WA), Roberta (Nashville, Tennessee), Roberta's Husband Todd
Grandchildren: Samantha (Ken's daughter); Derek and Wade (Ginger's sons); Brittany (Wade's wife); Jonathon (Steve's son)
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neptunesociety.com/location/tucson-cremation for the Bell family.
His dad Elijah (Lige) was a sharecropper in Indian Territory (later known as Oklahoma), and farmed cotton and other cash crops. His mother Callie ran the household and took care of all the kids. They had chickens, pigs, milk cows, and a big garden to keep the family fed. Lige and Callie had both been born in Oklahoma but moved whenever Elijah thought it would be beneficial for the family.
When the "dustbowl" hit Oklahoma in the mid 1930's (remember Grapes of Wrath?), the Bell family was once again on the move. This time they migrated to Manson, WA in 1943. The eldest Brother, Loy C. was already there. Bobby, his parents, 5 brothers and 2 sisters piled into a grey 1936 Plymouth with their belongings for the trip. Callie was pregnant with the youngest Brother Larry who was the only child born in Washington.
Following is a list of the "original" Bell Family.
• The parents were Elijah Sylvester Bell and Callie Ovel (nee Church).
• Bobby was child number 6 in a family of 10 children. From oldest to youngest: Loy C. (Rusty), Willie Ray (Ray), Lois, E. S. Jr. (Red), Roy, Bobby (Bob), Donald (Joe), Joyce, Billy (Bill), and Larry.
Once Bob was asked what he did as a child in Manson. He replied, "I remember playing in the dirt with a block of wood for a truck." He then shared a story of how he was the best marble shooter in school, but could never beat his brother Red. In high school he participated in football, basketball and baseball. He even rode in a horse race as a jockey for his Uncle Hap.
He graduated from Manson High School in 1951. After high school, like many of his brothers, he joined the military. To his surprise his birth certificate read Robert Lee Bell. He joined the Air Force as Robert Lee Bell, and then asked to be called Bob. He has been known as Bob ever since. He was stationed in Texas, Moses Lake, and Korea.
Bob's military service provided him the GI Bill which allowed him to go to college. He had always wanted to be a school teacher. He once said, "school teachers always get respect." He also confided that Okies were frowned upon in Manson.
He began his quest for higher learning at Wenatchee Community College in 1955-1956. He attended with brothers Joe and Roy. He transferred to Western Washington College of Education, in Bellingham, WA and earned a bachelor's degree in industrial arts, June 10, 1960.
Bob landed his first teaching job in Hoquiam, WA as a high school shop teacher. He moved his Wife Nola and son Ken there. Son Steve and daughter Ginger were born in neighboring Aberdeen. For eight years he taught high school shop classes and driver's education.
During his tenure in Hoquiam, he met a fellow teacher named Philo. They fell in love. He divorced Nola and married Philo on November 8th, 1968. They recently celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary. Philo has two daughters from a previous marriage, Florence and Roberta. Bob adopted them. Philo loved calling him Robert.
He and his new family moved to Enumclaw where Philo had been offered a teaching job. Bob taught in the Highline School District. Now, he was teaching shop class to middle schoolers and driver's education to high schoolers. He always preferred the middle schoolers. When asked why he responded, "it's easy for me to think like a 13-year-old."
Bob was very handy. He doubled the square footage of their Enumclaw house. He did foundation work, framing, electrical work, and drywall. Nearly everything. They lived there a little over 10 years.
For a while he worked in the summers as a Real Estate Agent. During this time, he found a house in Covington that he fell in love with. He used all of his charm and sales skills to convince his wife that they should buy it. They did, and lived there through the end of both of their teaching careers.
Bob was an active Father, monthly he drove to Hoquiam on a Friday night to pick up Ken, Steve and Ginger, and then drive them home again on Sunday night. Philo made great meals and we often had fun parties.
He taught driver's ed, loved driving us kids around and after he retired from teaching, he got a part-time job driving cars for Enterprise Rent a Car. He said that it gave him: something to do, a social life and some extra spending money.
After retirement, Bob and Philo lost two of their children Steve and Florence on separate occasions. This was heartbreaking for them. Between that, having the other kids out of the house and strewn around the country, and medical reasons they chose to move to Tucson, Arizona.
Throughout the years, Bob and Philo made the annual August trip back to Washington for the Bell Family Reunion. For many years Bob was the breakfast cook. He took great pride in learning and remembering the names of all of his family members and friends, up to 60 people. They all knew him, too. He was Uncle Bob.
Bob was able to transfer his driving job to the Enterprise office in Tucson. He worked right up to the end. He was very well liked. His work buddies held a memorial service for him and over 40 people showed up.
Over the years, Bob explored many hobbies, including: fishing, hunting, golf, and geocaching. He could not sleep in. He always had to get up and get to work on one of his many projects or activities.
Bob was predeceased by: his parents - Lige and Callie; sister Lois; brothers – Roy, Bill, and Larry; children Steve, and Florence.
Bob is survived by:
Wife Philo
Children: Kenneth (Kirkland, WA), Ginger (Tacoma, WA), Roberta (Nashville, Tennessee), Roberta's Husband Todd
Grandchildren: Samantha (Ken's daughter); Derek and Wade (Ginger's sons); Brittany (Wade's wife); Jonathon (Steve's son)
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neptunesociety.com/location/tucson-cremation for the Bell family.
Bob was born in Pooleville, Oklahoma. He was named Bobby Lee Bell by his mother Callie. He was known as Bobby Lee through-out his school days in Manson, Washington.
His dad Elijah (Lige) was a sharecropper in Indian Territory (later known as Oklahoma), and farmed cotton and other cash crops. His mother Callie ran the household and took care of all the kids. They had chickens, pigs, milk cows, and a big garden to keep the family fed. Lige and Callie had both been born in Oklahoma but moved whenever Elijah thought it would be beneficial for the family.
When the "dustbowl" hit Oklahoma in the mid 1930's (remember Grapes of Wrath?), the Bell family was once again on the move. This time they migrated to Manson, WA in 1943. The eldest Brother, Loy C. was already there. Bobby, his parents, 5 brothers and 2 sisters piled into a grey 1936 Plymouth with their belongings for the trip. Callie was pregnant with the youngest Brother Larry who was the only child born in Washington.
Following is a list of the "original" Bell Family.
• The parents were Elijah Sylvester Bell and Callie Ovel (nee Church).
• Bobby was child number 6 in a family of 10 children. From oldest to youngest: Loy C. (Rusty), Willie Ray (Ray), Lois, E. S. Jr. (Red), Roy, Bobby (Bob), Donald (Joe), Joyce, Billy (Bill), and Larry.
Once Bob was asked what he did as a child in Manson. He replied, "I remember playing in the dirt with a block of wood for a truck." He then shared a story of how he was the best marble shooter in school, but could never beat his brother Red. In high school he participated in football, basketball and baseball. He even rode in a horse race as a jockey for his Uncle Hap.
He graduated from Manson High School in 1951. After high school, like many of his brothers, he joined the military. To his surprise his birth certificate read Robert Lee Bell. He joined the Air Force as Robert Lee Bell, and then asked to be called Bob. He has been known as Bob ever since. He was stationed in Texas, Moses Lake, and Korea.
Bob's military service provided him the GI Bill which allowed him to go to college. He had always wanted to be a school teacher. He once said, "school teachers always get respect." He also confided that Okies were frowned upon in Manson.
He began his quest for higher learning at Wenatchee Community College in 1955-1956. He attended with brothers Joe and Roy. He transferred to Western Washington College of Education, in Bellingham, WA and earned a bachelor's degree in industrial arts, June 10, 1960.
Bob landed his first teaching job in Hoquiam, WA as a high school shop teacher. He moved his Wife Nola and son Ken there. Son Steve and daughter Ginger were born in neighboring Aberdeen. For eight years he taught high school shop classes and driver's education.
During his tenure in Hoquiam, he met a fellow teacher named Philo. They fell in love. He divorced Nola and married Philo on November 8th, 1968. They recently celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary. Philo has two daughters from a previous marriage, Florence and Roberta. Bob adopted them. Philo loved calling him Robert.
He and his new family moved to Enumclaw where Philo had been offered a teaching job. Bob taught in the Highline School District. Now, he was teaching shop class to middle schoolers and driver's education to high schoolers. He always preferred the middle schoolers. When asked why he responded, "it's easy for me to think like a 13-year-old."
Bob was very handy. He doubled the square footage of their Enumclaw house. He did foundation work, framing, electrical work, and drywall. Nearly everything. They lived there a little over 10 years.
For a while he worked in the summers as a Real Estate Agent. During this time, he found a house in Covington that he fell in love with. He used all of his charm and sales skills to convince his wife that they should buy it. They did, and lived there through the end of both of their teaching careers.
Bob was an active Father, monthly he drove to Hoquiam on a Friday night to pick up Ken, Steve and Ginger, and then drive them home again on Sunday night. Philo made great meals and we often had fun parties.
He taught driver's ed, loved driving us kids around and after he retired from teaching, he got a part-time job driving cars for Enterprise Rent a Car. He said that it gave him: something to do, a social life and some extra spending money.
After retirement, Bob and Philo lost two of their children Steve and Florence on separate occasions. This was heartbreaking for them. Between that, having the other kids out of the house and strewn around the country, and medical reasons they chose to move to Tucson, Arizona.
Throughout the years, Bob and Philo made the annual August trip back to Washington for the Bell Family Reunion. For many years Bob was the breakfast cook. He took great pride in learning and remembering the names of all of his family members and friends, up to 60 people. They all knew him, too. He was Uncle Bob.
Bob was able to transfer his driving job to the Enterprise office in Tucson. He worked right up to the end. He was very well liked. His work buddies held a memorial service for him and over 40 people showed up.
Over the years, Bob explored many hobbies, including: fishing, hunting, golf, and geocaching. He could not sleep in. He always had to get up and get to work on one of his many projects or activities.
Bob was predeceased by: his parents - Lige and Callie; sister Lois; brothers – Roy, Bill, and Larry; children Steve, and Florence.
Bob is survived by:
Wife Philo
Children: Kenneth (Kirkland, WA), Ginger (Tacoma, WA), Roberta (Nashville, Tennessee), Roberta's Husband Todd
Grandchildren: Samantha (Ken's daughter); Derek and Wade (Ginger's sons); Brittany (Wade's wife); Jonathon (Steve's son)
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neptunesociety.com/location/tucson-cremation for the Bell family.
His dad Elijah (Lige) was a sharecropper in Indian Territory (later known as Oklahoma), and farmed cotton and other cash crops. His mother Callie ran the household and took care of all the kids. They had chickens, pigs, milk cows, and a big garden to keep the family fed. Lige and Callie had both been born in Oklahoma but moved whenever Elijah thought it would be beneficial for the family.
When the "dustbowl" hit Oklahoma in the mid 1930's (remember Grapes of Wrath?), the Bell family was once again on the move. This time they migrated to Manson, WA in 1943. The eldest Brother, Loy C. was already there. Bobby, his parents, 5 brothers and 2 sisters piled into a grey 1936 Plymouth with their belongings for the trip. Callie was pregnant with the youngest Brother Larry who was the only child born in Washington.
Following is a list of the "original" Bell Family.
• The parents were Elijah Sylvester Bell and Callie Ovel (nee Church).
• Bobby was child number 6 in a family of 10 children. From oldest to youngest: Loy C. (Rusty), Willie Ray (Ray), Lois, E. S. Jr. (Red), Roy, Bobby (Bob), Donald (Joe), Joyce, Billy (Bill), and Larry.
Once Bob was asked what he did as a child in Manson. He replied, "I remember playing in the dirt with a block of wood for a truck." He then shared a story of how he was the best marble shooter in school, but could never beat his brother Red. In high school he participated in football, basketball and baseball. He even rode in a horse race as a jockey for his Uncle Hap.
He graduated from Manson High School in 1951. After high school, like many of his brothers, he joined the military. To his surprise his birth certificate read Robert Lee Bell. He joined the Air Force as Robert Lee Bell, and then asked to be called Bob. He has been known as Bob ever since. He was stationed in Texas, Moses Lake, and Korea.
Bob's military service provided him the GI Bill which allowed him to go to college. He had always wanted to be a school teacher. He once said, "school teachers always get respect." He also confided that Okies were frowned upon in Manson.
He began his quest for higher learning at Wenatchee Community College in 1955-1956. He attended with brothers Joe and Roy. He transferred to Western Washington College of Education, in Bellingham, WA and earned a bachelor's degree in industrial arts, June 10, 1960.
Bob landed his first teaching job in Hoquiam, WA as a high school shop teacher. He moved his Wife Nola and son Ken there. Son Steve and daughter Ginger were born in neighboring Aberdeen. For eight years he taught high school shop classes and driver's education.
During his tenure in Hoquiam, he met a fellow teacher named Philo. They fell in love. He divorced Nola and married Philo on November 8th, 1968. They recently celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary. Philo has two daughters from a previous marriage, Florence and Roberta. Bob adopted them. Philo loved calling him Robert.
He and his new family moved to Enumclaw where Philo had been offered a teaching job. Bob taught in the Highline School District. Now, he was teaching shop class to middle schoolers and driver's education to high schoolers. He always preferred the middle schoolers. When asked why he responded, "it's easy for me to think like a 13-year-old."
Bob was very handy. He doubled the square footage of their Enumclaw house. He did foundation work, framing, electrical work, and drywall. Nearly everything. They lived there a little over 10 years.
For a while he worked in the summers as a Real Estate Agent. During this time, he found a house in Covington that he fell in love with. He used all of his charm and sales skills to convince his wife that they should buy it. They did, and lived there through the end of both of their teaching careers.
Bob was an active Father, monthly he drove to Hoquiam on a Friday night to pick up Ken, Steve and Ginger, and then drive them home again on Sunday night. Philo made great meals and we often had fun parties.
He taught driver's ed, loved driving us kids around and after he retired from teaching, he got a part-time job driving cars for Enterprise Rent a Car. He said that it gave him: something to do, a social life and some extra spending money.
After retirement, Bob and Philo lost two of their children Steve and Florence on separate occasions. This was heartbreaking for them. Between that, having the other kids out of the house and strewn around the country, and medical reasons they chose to move to Tucson, Arizona.
Throughout the years, Bob and Philo made the annual August trip back to Washington for the Bell Family Reunion. For many years Bob was the breakfast cook. He took great pride in learning and remembering the names of all of his family members and friends, up to 60 people. They all knew him, too. He was Uncle Bob.
Bob was able to transfer his driving job to the Enterprise office in Tucson. He worked right up to the end. He was very well liked. His work buddies held a memorial service for him and over 40 people showed up.
Over the years, Bob explored many hobbies, including: fishing, hunting, golf, and geocaching. He could not sleep in. He always had to get up and get to work on one of his many projects or activities.
Bob was predeceased by: his parents - Lige and Callie; sister Lois; brothers – Roy, Bill, and Larry; children Steve, and Florence.
Bob is survived by:
Wife Philo
Children: Kenneth (Kirkland, WA), Ginger (Tacoma, WA), Roberta (Nashville, Tennessee), Roberta's Husband Todd
Grandchildren: Samantha (Ken's daughter); Derek and Wade (Ginger's sons); Brittany (Wade's wife); Jonathon (Steve's son)
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neptunesociety.com/location/tucson-cremation for the Bell family.
Inscription
A2C US AIR FORCE
KOREA
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
