Obituary of Richard Bell

RICHARD BELL (Dick)

It is with the fondest of memories that the family of Dick say goodbye. Dick passed away peacefully on January 15, 2022 at the age of 84, with his wife of 59 years, Mary (Shackleton) by his side. Born in Haileybury, Ontario to the late Thomas and Rose Bell, he was the first of three children.

After living in many different Northern Ontario towns, he headed to Toronto to complete a BSc in Geophysics at the UofT followed quickly by an MSc. Not only did this time in Toronto provide him with an education, but he met his soulmate and wife, Mary.  After their marriage they moved to Princeton where he earned his Doctorate in Geology. During this time they welcomed Ruth (Ted Libera), their first of three children into the family. With a new Doctorate in hand they headed to Ottawa where Dick worked as a research scientist with the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC). While in Ottawa, their son, David (Heather Ferguson) was born. Dick was then recruited to be a professor at Brock University. Here he mentored many future geologists. Again they added to their family with daughter, Heather (Eric Denison). The family moved back to the Ottawa area (North Gower) to continue Dick’s research in Uranium resources at the GSC. During his work he made many friends around the world. Upon retirement he continued with his love of gardening, cooking and the outdoors, interests he passed on to the family.

They returned to Toronto to be closer to family. Dick was the original “Google” as there wasn’t much that he didn’t know or research. He was a voracious consumer of scientific literature and current events and would debate any topic. During his life he loved to spend time with family and travel with Mary to places like Australia, Hawaii, Cuba and the Mediterranean, as well as coast-to-coast in Canada.

Dick is survived by his loving wife, children and grandchildren: Sarah (Cameron Farsangi) and Krystian Libera, David and Alexander Denison and Jack, Charlie and Tom Bell; and his brother David (Angela) Bell. Dick was predeceased by his sister, Rosemary (John) Caufield.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers the family would prefer donations to Doctors Without Borders or Forests Ontario.  Please see the funeral home’s website at www.humphreymiles.com for donation links and to send condolences.

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