Robert Orville Bell
November 9, 1936 ~ April 21, 2021
Born in:
San Francisco, CA
Resided in:
Pueblo, CO
Robert Orville Bell, 84, of Pueblo passed away peacefully on April 21, surrounded by his family at Joni Fair Hospice House in Pueblo.
Bob was born Nov. 9, 1936, in San Francisco, Calif., to Ronald Orlando and Ella Kay (Kingbay) Bell. He was the oldest of their four children. Bob was in the Army during the latter stage of the Korean War. He worked in the electronics manufacturing industry in Massachusetts before moving to San Diego to work in the aerospace industry in the mid-1960s. He was a quality control engineer on the Apollo 11 project that was the first to land on the moon.
Bob earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering and a Master’s in Business Administration from Pepperdine University while raising three children as a single parent. He married Barbara Grenard West in 1982 and owned and operated an electronics manufacturing company in San Diego, Calif., in the 1980s. He and Barbara moved to La Junta, Colo., in 1990 where he started another electronics manufacturing company. He and Barbara moved to Pueblo in 2000 after he retired.
During their retirement years, Bob and Barbara loved to travel with their fifth wheeler to see family in California and friends in Texas while exploring national parks and culinary delights along the way. Bob relished dining at nice restaurants and seeing live theater and taught his children to enjoy those experiences. Bob and Barbara loved to ride their bikes at home and on trips, and especially remember riding in Napa Valley. In his later years, Bob would rebuild and update laptop computers and donate them to the Women’s Shelter at the Pueblo YWCA.
Bob is survived by his wife, Barbara; daughters, Carol Briggs (Jerry) and Pati Stephens (Bob); sisters, Loraine Strong and Bernice Ramsey, and brother, Bill Bell; 10 grandchildren, Jeremiah, Ashley, Catie, Megan, Dani, Bobby, Jacqueline, Amber, Felicity and Emily; nine great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Bob is preceded in death by his parents and his son, Ron Bell.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Joni Fair Hospice House, 1107 Pueblo Blvd Way, Pueblo, CO 81005 and the Pueblo YWCA Women’s Shelter, 801 N Santa Fe Ave, Pueblo, CO 81003. Online condolences, www.MontgomerySteward.com
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To Aunt Barbara and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Uncle Bob was a wonderful man. His wit and humor will be terribly missed. He will be missed but never forgotten.
-The Ramsey Family
Over the years Bob and I shared many emails on nearly every subject imaginable. Sometimes it was just sharing personal stories, sometimes it was a debate, Always though, he made me feel that he was truly interested in what I had to say and he always made me feel appreciated. Bob made the world a better place.
To the best Mentor I’ve ever attached myself too. I was looking for a job on Cinco de Mayo, filling out an application at Assembly Shop. There was joy in the air, and the worlds biggest bowl with ice and bottles of XX was on display. I had to get that job, called twice a day until they relented. Bob was one of the smartest people I’ve ever been around. He was always willing and happy to teach me when I was curious (or doing something stupid). The very best was his sense of humor, I would guess that no less than 90% of our thousands of emails were all jokes.
I have so much respect for Bob, a true example for me. I’ll always think of you when I need how to how to conduct myself in any situation. And, I will think of you tonite when I sob, but forever when I laugh.
-Jim Petersen
Bob Bell is the reason we came to La Junta, Colorado! Bob & Barbara were moving here to start up Bell Enterprises and they entrusted my late husband Chuck Hayden to move out here also along with the whole family which included our four boys (2 were Chuck’s stepsons). It was a great time for us to start out on a new adventure in life. Bob took great care of us and our needs as we settled in. The company didn’t last but Bob had given us a great opportunity to leave California and proceed with our lives. I went to college after the boys started school and Chuck ended up at the perfect job for him Lewis Bolt & Nut where he remained until his passing on October 6th 2020. We will always remember Bob and his kindness and big heart. He was THE nicest guy! Made us feel special I remember. We somehow lost touch through the years but my memories of Bob will last forever. I will always appreciate you & what you did for us Bob! The boys & I send our prayers & best wishes to you Barbara! He will always be remembered for the kind soul he was!
Bob was a good man of integrity & was well liked by those that knew him. I enjoyed my dealing wit him over the years.
Rich Pietras
I am saddened to hear of the loss our of friend Bob- but 84 is a nice run Bob!
I knew Bob to be a man of high integrity, that kept his word. His business
thrived in a highly competitive environment, for many, many years.
Rest in Peace old friend. Until we meet again, Barney
I worked for Bob at Assembly Shop, Inc. in San Diego from 1988 to 1991. Learned a lot from him. We remained friends after ASI closed and Bob & Barbara moved to Colorado and we stayed in touch over the years. Always looked forward Bob & Barbara’s visits to San Diego because we would usually get together to rehash the old days and solve the current problems of the world.
Over the last few years, we typically swapped emails daily and compared notes regarding our usually similar views on world happenings. When our views we not in synch, we found ways to discuss and respect each other’s point of view. It was always fun getting Bob’s take on the state of the country and the world in general and we often swapped funny memes and jokes. The emails stopped on 4/21/2021 and it’s just not been the same since.
My wife Li and I send our sincere sympathy to Barbara and the entire Bell family.
Miss ya, Bob. R.I.P.
Dear Barbara and Family,
Please accept my deepest sympathy for the loss of your wonderful husband and Dad. I always enjoyed his company and he always got me out of a bind when it came to my computer. Know that he was a special and kind man.
A number of years ago, Brenda and I took our granddaughter, Aurora, to have lunch with Barbara and Bob by their RV that was parked in the California coastal town of Moro Bay. Bob seemed to be tickled pink to see Rori, and the feeling was clearly mutual. She brought him his sandwich and drink. After lunch, she even rubbed his back. Bob was all smiles and full of praise for her. It was a special day that we will remember always.
Loved by all. His jokes sent to us and had lots of fun. We will miss him.
Bob Bell
I remember the first time I met Bob. “The Girls” we’re having wine out front and he comes out and asked if we want some soup…after homemade soup he brought out cookies.
That was the beginning of a year of many wonderful days of trying all the wonderful things he and Barb cooked up. Our relationship grew with many mornings of his famous breakfasts with tea and wonderful evenings of wine and yummy treats.
I learned what a real marriage should be like. The way he looked at Barb and treated her was a lesson of what a real man should be like. Bob was the most kind, generous, caring and truly helpful man I have ever known. No matter what the problem was all I had to do was tell Bob and he was helping to figure it out.
Bob wasn’t one to mince words. If I screwed up he would tell me…but often making me feel better by admitting he’s made a few mistakes. Bob was like my big brother with a little father mixed in.
I will be forever thankful that I had the opportunity to know this man and thankful he and Barb took me under their wings when they did.
Bob, a very good man. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Love to Barbara