Richard Harry Bell, 76, Clermont, passed away September 29, 2012 at the Mike Conley Hospice House. He was born December 12, 1935 in Newark, NJ son of Harry & Mildred Van Cott Bell and grew up in Montvale, NJ. During college he was in the Theta Chi Fraternity and worked at the Allied Chemical Company. He graduated from Fairleigh Dickenson University in New Jersey. On March 21, 1964 he was united in marriage to Alberta Baker in Parsippany, NJ. Then, Richard went to work in the family owned business, Bell Ceramics Inc., until it moved to Clermont, Florida, in 1966. He continued to work for Bell Ceramics in Clermont and eventually became president of the company. Bell Ceramics was in business for over 50 years. The company was a leader in the industry and their products sold in 35 countries worldwide. Under his direction, Richard founded the International Foundation of Doll Makers. Richard coached for the Babe Ruth Baseball League for several years. After retiring, he began playing softball and was most recently a member of the Ron Becker Pirates' softball team. He has been an active supporter of the Beta Theta ESA Sorority for 34 years. Richard has been a member of the Clermont Kiwanis Club for 27 years. As a Kiwanian, he held the offices of President (1983-84), Lieutenant Governor, Director of Key Club, and Chairman of Sponsored Youth Projects. Kiwanis recognized Richard's service in 1999 with the Kiwanis International Hixson Award and in 2005 with the Florida District of Kiwanis Davis Award. The community further honored him with the Boy Scout Golden Eagle Award in 1988, the South Lake Chamber of Commerce Gem of the Hills Award in 1999, and the Senior Volunteer of the Year for Lake County Schools in 2004. Richard was a lifelong member of the First Church of Christ, Scientist. He was preceded in death by his son, David Scott Bell; sister, Nancy Bell Hettinger & brother Jacob "Jay" Lawrence Lucas, Jr. Survivors include his wife Alberta "Toni" Bell; daughter Sharon Woodard of Page, AZ; grandsons Seth Woodard & Tanner Woodard both of Los Angeles, CA; brother Peter G. Bell of Mascotte; nephew Christopher Bell of St. Simon's Island, GA; niece Leeanne Bell Neville of St. Augustine, FL. : niece Bethanne Kelly; sister Winifred "Winnie" Lucas Carter & niece Jacqueline " Jackie" Grace Carter all of Clermont; nephew Mark Hettinger of Tampa; nephew Andrew Hettinger & great-nephew Connor Hettinger both of Decatur, Georgia.



The funeral service for Richard Bell will be held at 2:30 PM on Sunday, October 7, 2012 in the sanctuary at First United Methodist, 950 7th Street, Clermont, FL. Participants in the service will be Priscilla Hoffman, First Church of Christ, Scientist & Mike Phipps. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Saturday, October 6, 2012 at the funeral home. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be directed to the Clermont Kiwanis Foundation, Attention: Hal Cummings, 1977 Brantley Circle, Clermont, Florida, 34711-2978. BECKER FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 806 W. Minneola Ave.,Clermont,FL 34711. Telephone 352-394-7121. Guestbook at beckerfamilyfuneral.com.