Herbert Joseph Bell Jr.'s Obituary
Herbert Joseph Bell, Jr, beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother and friend, passed away peacefully on June 24, 2024, surrounded by his family. Herb was born on February 25, 1940 at Fort Bliss Army Medical Center in El Paso, TX, the son of Col. Herbert J. Bell, MD and Evelyn Bush Bell. Though born on an Army base in Texas, Herb’s family roots were in Wisconsin and Illinois, where he maintained close ties with his Bell cousins, whom each considered as siblings.
Having grown up in a military environment, Herb was very Patriotic. He never failed to stand for the National Anthem and put his hand over his heart--even if it was only on TV. Friends and colleagues noted his subtle humor, admired his kindness and quiet generosity and his dependability. He was always ready to lend a helping hand—and never met a stranger. Curiosity was a driver in his personality. He was curious about almost anything. From how something was built, how it worked, to why it broke. His workbench was always piled with appliance, car parts and tools, awaiting his forensic examination. After marrying Margaret, who was from Louisiana, he dove into the Cajun culture and embraced it. Before long, he was experiencing boating in the swamp in a bateau boat, eating and preparing exotic Cajun food and holding annual crawfish boils. He was curious about every culture he encountered from Europe to Asia, where he sought out local food and drink, and gleefully joined in singing and dancing!.
After graduating from Cathedral High School in El Paso, Herb attended the University of Texas–El Paso (UTEP), earning a BS Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1963. While attending UTEP, he was a 4-year member of the ROTC, which launched his military service. Among his assignments, Herb served a tour of Duty in Vietnam, with the 70th Engineering Combat Battalion, and was awarded the Armed Forces Combat Expeditionary Medal (Vietnam).
After Herb completed his military service, he embarked on a professional career as a Petroleum Engineer in the oil & gas industry. During the next 50+ years, he was employed by both Major and Independent Oil companies in Texas, with expertise in Oil Reserves Management. He was also very active in industry organizations, including The Texas Society of Professional Engineers (with a Life Membership); and the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), in which he held several Offices, including Chairman of the Dallas Chapter. In 2010, he was honored as Engineer of the Year at the SPE International Conference in Denver. He was also internationally known for his voluntary Membership Recruitment of thousands of new SPE members. Herb retired in 2015 as Vice President of Operations with an independent oil company in Dallas.
Herb was a man of few words, but he could convey almost anything by the look in his eyes. Which turned out to be a blessing once he was no longer able to verbally communicate. He managed to accept his condition as it advanced and even managed to smile and stay content to his last day.
Herb is preceded in death by his parents Herbert and Evelyn Bell, and his infant brother, Michael Alan. He is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Margaret Couvillon Bell; three children, Daughters: Christiane Bell Jamieson (John); Ellisha Bell Shaffer (Bruce); and son: Michael C Bell (Rachel); his brother Stephen L Bell (Colleen); and his grandchildren: Gage, Garret, Travis and Hunter.
After the funeral service, Herb will be interred at Restland Cemetery-Court of Veteran’s IV to include a Military Honor Ceremony.
13005 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75243.
A reception will follow at Restland Funeral Home
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to either
The Alzheimer’s Foundation or Tunnel to Towers Foundation
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