Robert Bell

Bob Bell was a remarkable man, who lived a remarkable life, a life so full of great memories, great family, and especially, great stories. He was a master storyteller, culled from a lifetime of accomplishments. Bob succeeded at everything he ever did, yet his greatest reward was found in the family he loved most of all.

Bob’s story began on a warm fall day in 1946, in the bustling city of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Those were exciting times in this country, days of celebration, when our returning heroes came home from World War II and began the Baby Boomer generation. On September 14, 1946, a baby boy was born at Borgess Hospital, a baby soon adopted by Russell and Sadie Bell.

Bob was the couple’s only child, and grew up in a wonderfully nurturing and supportive home. His hardworking parents owned Paris Cleaners in Kalamazoo, and fostered a love of learning and living in their little boy.

Bob’s dad taught him to play golf as soon as he was big enough to swing a golf club, forming a lifelong love for the game. He also showed a natural musical gift at an early age, and learned to play the piano when he was in elementary school, developing a true passion for playing. Later in life, he derived great satisfaction from coming home after a hard day’s work and playing his baby grand piano, his form of relaxation.

Bob was raised in a devoutly Catholic home, and attended Barbour Hall School as a boy, before going on to University High School. As he got older, his musical gifts blossomed further, learning to play the French horn, the guitar, the bugle and various other musical instruments — all of them by ear! He even played in several different bands as a teenager.

Bob graduated from high school in 1964, during the country’s buildup in Vietnam. With his draft number looming, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1966, and soon found himself aboard the USS Forrestal, the country’s first “Super Carrier.”

Bob proudly served his country from 1966-1970, mainly in the South Pacific and the Mediterranean Sea, amassing an amazing array of tales from his travels.

When he was discharged, Bob returned to Kalamazoo, and began taking classes at Kellogg Community College. There he met a beautiful young classmate named Mary Medved, who was starstruck by the dashing Bob. He was seven years older, tall, dark and handsome, with a bright yellow Corvette and supercharged charm.

In the fall of 1970, Bob accepted a scholarship to play golf at the University of Arizona in Tucson, and the young couple stayed in contact through heartfelt letters.

Eventually, Mary joined Bob in Tucson, where their love grew even further. After graduating from Arizona, the happy couple was married, on August 9, 1975, at St. Monica’s Catholic Church in Kalamazoo, the beginning of a beautiful marriage.

Bob and Mary shared a wonderful relationship, one that grew stronger over time. They both admitted that they were lucky to have each other, and learned to appreciate each other’s strengths and weaknesses. For them, the words “I love you” were much more than words.

The couple was blessed with two beautiful daughters, Kristi in 1980, and Lisa in 1982. Bob was such a proud, thrilled parent, and they were definitely daddy’s little girls. He was a very supportive parent, and had a wonderful relationship with the girls all his life.

Bob was also an excellent provider for his family and became a well-respected CPA in southwest Michigan. He eventually started his own accounting firm that developed into the present day firm, Bell Valuation P.C. He was very passionate about his work. His honesty, integrity and work ethic made him a great success.

Bob was a great success at everything he ever did, though, and instilled a will to succeed in his daughters. He wanted his family to be the best that they could be and taught them so many lessons in life, from how to present yourself in a professional manner, to how to have confidence in yourself, to have integrity in both life and business, and most of all, to be true to yourself.

Bob was forever true to himself, a very real and sincere person, who always told you how it was.

Bob had a tremendous vocabulary, expressing himself eloquently — and often prolifically. He also taught his family to have the same great command of the English language that he held.

He was a great orator, and a master storyteller, with a seemingly unending supply of tales from his travels in the Navy and his accomplishments on the golf course. Bob had a presence about him, able to hold a room rapt with his wit and wisdom.

Bob was equally captivating on the golf course, where his great skill never faded and was a sight to behold. He was a near scratch golfer throughout his lifetime, and had a true passion for the game and sharing it with others. Bob played many of the top courses around the country, and also served on the board at the Kalamazoo Country Club. Recently, he was a member at The Moors in Portage, and he enjoyed playing with his beloved wife, friends and son-in-law, Chad.

Bob had many great days on the golf course, yet they could never equal the successes he found in his family. Family was always first and foremost in Bob’s life, and when his grandson arrived, he couldn’t have been prouder. His wedding, his daughter’s wedding, the birth of his children and grandchild, their graduations and various accomplishments … these were his happiest and proudest moments, in a lifetime so full of them.

Sadly, he died on Friday, February 29, 2008, at the age of 61.

Bob was a remarkable man, who lived a remarkable life, a life so full of successes. He was a proud veteran, businessman, champion golfer and dear friend to many. Most of all, he was a loving husband, father, grandfather and teacher, whose love and lessons live on today in all who knew him. He will be so greatly missed.

Bob is survived by his wife of 32 years, Mary, daughters Lisa Bell, Dr. Kristina (Charles) Mixer, grandson CJ, maternal aunt Marie Shoemaker, cousins Richard (Marjo) Shields, Peter (Donna) Shoemaker, and Mary (Dr. Ernie) Carpenter. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Russell and Sadie.

Learn more about Bob, view his Life Story film and visit with his family and friends Monday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the Life Story Funeral Home, 5975 Lovers Lane, Portage, MI. Funeral Services will be at 2 pm Tuesday at the same location. Please join the family in the celebration of Bob’s life at the residence following the services.

Please visit Bob’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can share a favorite memory or photo, sign his memory book or make a memorial donation to “The First Tee.”