Robert Bell

Robert Donald Bell, 87, a resident of Belfair (Victor area), died July 2, 2010 of lung cancer in the family home with his loving wife and best friend Donna present. He was born May 10, 1923 in Kansas City, KS to William B. and Doris E. (Cogswell) Bell. He graduated from High School in Kansas City, attended College there and in Los Angeles for four years. He married Donna M. Gutzman in Tlaxcala, Mexico in 1961.  Robert served in the US Army Air Corps as a 1st LT and was awarded the Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross with one oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with two clusters and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for ‘almost unbelievable flying skill and indomitable bravery’ while serving with the 10th AF in Assam, India. While flying with three other P-40 pilots, he encountered 17 Japanese bombers and 38 fighters and attacked immediately. Soon after, other flights of P-40’s and P-51’s entered the fight and stayed until one bomber remained. In all, LT Bell successfully completed approximately 104 missions. His fellow flyers affectionately called him ‘Ding Dong’.  He later worked for Lockheed in Burbank, California as an Administrative Engineer, retiring in 1981. He also owned and operated restaurants in California and Port Angeles and was a member of the Peace Corps for one year in Panama.  He was a member of the Victor Improvement Club and enjoyed poker, bridge, crossword puzzles, reading, traveling, fishing and sports.   He was preceded in death by two sons Robert Shannon in 1968 and Christopher Mark in 1989; one daughter ‘baby’ Julie in 1968 and one sister Betty Jean Schmidt in 2002. He is survived by his loving wife Donna; special Victor neighbors; Grants Pass relatives who were dearly loved and those still in Kansas and other states.  He will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery on August 16, 2010 at 2:00pm. Donations may be made in his name to the Save a Smile Foundation: bruce@saveasmilefoundation.org . Do not stand at my grave and weep I am not there, I do not sleep I am a thousand winds that blow I am a diamond’s glint on snow I am the sunlight on ripened grain I am the gentle autumn’s rain When you awaken in the morning’s hush I am the swift uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circled flight I am the soft stars that shine at night Do not stand at my grave and cry I am not there, I did not die.