Robert Hamilton Bell

Robert “Bob” Hamilton Bell, of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, died on Monday, November 24, at age 92.

Bob was born on April 27, 1933, in McDonald, Pennsylvania, to his parents Anna Emma and Harry Lee Bell. He grew up with his older brothers Harry Jr. and Glenn in a home that loved family, farming, and giving generously to everyone around them—a practice Bob continued throughout his life. He graduated from McDonald High School in 1951.

He served in the United States Army from 1953–1956 as a cryptographic specialist in the Army Security Agency, stationed at the Wildwood Station in Kenai, Alaska. When he wasn’t handling highly sensitive Cold War intelligence, he went marching through deep snow in the winter and salmon fishing in the cool rivers in the summer.

After his honorable discharge from the Army, Bob went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in economics at Washington & Jefferson College. He started work at the Koppers company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as an early operator and programmer in the fledgling world of computers. His career continued at Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) selling plastics and molybdenum, and later at Cyprus Minerals Company selling copper to companies like General Motors. After leaving the minerals business, he pivoted to one of his great loves, books, to become a bookseller, Bible engraver, and eventually a bookstore owner.

Bob married the love of his life, Donna Ann Stanton, on September 26, 1964, and took great joy in being a husband and father. Together, Bob and Donna enjoyed traveling, spending time together with their close-knit family, and raising their three sons: Bryan, Gary, and Christian. Bob was actively involved in his sons’ activities, managing their little league baseball teams and participating with them in Cub and Boy Scouts. The family’s life took them from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, to Medford Lakes, New Jersey, to a farm in Katonah, New York, to Denver, Colorado, where they lived for the past 42 years. Bob and Donna were well known for always having their door open to anyone who needed a table to eat at or a bed to sleep in—as long as they didn’t mind sharing the house with the family cats.

In his spare time, Bob loved to golf, a game he played for nearly 80 years. He played on courses from New Zealand to St. Andrews and numerous more in between. Bob and Donna enjoyed countless hours hiking the trails in the Rocky Mountains, where he rightfully earned the nickname, “Scout”. He loved to read and almost always had multiple books on his bedside table.

Above all, Bob loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and cherished his Christian faith. His well-worn Bible, filled with handwritten notes and verses, was always close at hand. Bob prayed faithfully and enjoyed praying with others, including his longtime E-Team (Encouragement Team) men’s group and countless other Bible study and fellowship groups at church. He served as a deacon and elder and frequently volunteered with outreach and community programs.

Bob is survived by his wife, Donna; his sons, Bryan (Karin Weekly), Gary (Karen), and Christian (Beth); and granddaughter, Elizabeth Tullo. He is predeceased by his parents, Harry and Anna, and his brothers, Harry (Ann) and Glenn (Margaret).

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, December 11, at 10:00 a.m. at the Horan & McConaty South Metro/Centennial chapel, 5303 E County Line Rd. A military honor service will follow at 1:30 p.m. at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, 4400 W Kenyon Ave. All are welcome at both services.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations in Bob’s memory to SECOR Cares in Parker, Colorado, which provides food and assistance to those in need in Denver and Parker.