Obituary: David Charles Bell

David Charles Bell

David Charles Bell

David Charles Bell of Bridport, Vermont passed away on April 2, 2015, in Columbia, South Carolina after a brief illness. He was born Feb. 4, 1937, in Saint Albans, Vermont, to Russell and Margaret (Kieslich) Bell.

He attended school in Saint Albans and maintained many friendships and fond memories from that community; especially playing football, basketball and baseball at Bellows Free Academy. He graduated from BFA in 1955.

After high school, David attended the University of Vermont, where he was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. He graduated from UVM in 1959 and proudly served as an Airborne Ranger in the U.S. Army from that year until 1961. In 1960, he married Susan Sproule in Mamaroneck, New York.

In 1961, David began a 40-year career with New England Life Financial Group, being named a national "Rookie of the Year." He worked in Chittenden County and his business evolved to become Bell Financial Services and continues today as Bell Wealth Management under the leadership of his nephew Philip Spillane.

In addition to his work, David had many pastimes. He enjoyed cars, sailing, fly fishing, UVM hockey, handball, and was a licensed pilot and flight instructor. He valued his many long-term friends, colleagues and his clients.

In 1994, he married Sally Forbes of Middlebury. They moved to Prescott, Arizona, in 2002. David loved Prescott, Arizona: the landscape and the many friends they made there through church, real estate development and golf.

In addition to his parents, David was predeceased by his sister Janice (Spillane) and beloved son Matthew in 1988. Survivors include his wife Sally of Bridport; his sister Linda (Belmont) and her husband Tony of Wiscassett, Maine; his brother Gary and his wife Karen of Jericho and Port Charlotte, Florida; daughter Bethann Bell of Hinesburg and her children, Emma Wilson and Nick Wilson; daughter Kimberly Paterson of Barre, her husband Jay and their children Jack and Kate; his children and grandchildren through marriage, Scott Munger and his wife Amy of Brandon; Carolee Ploof, her husband Jim, and their children Heather, Maria, and James of Salisbury, Vermont.

A celebration of David's life will be at 2 p.m. on June 18, 2015 at the United Methodist Church in Shelburne, Vermont. Memorial contributions in his name may be made to Bellows Free Academy, 17 S. Main St., St. Albaris City, St. Albans, VT 05478.

Information provided by survivors.


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