Judge Robert H. Bell died peacefully in his sleep at the age 79. The legal community mourns Judge Robert H. Bell’s loss, a former U.S. district judge who was highly respected.
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Judge Robert H. Bell Has Passed
Judge Robert H. Bell has passed away. He was a prominent figure in the legal world. He peacefully passed away on June 8, 2023 in East Grand Rapids at the age of 79. Judge Bell was born in Lansing Michigan to Preston C. Bell and Eileen Holmes Bell.
His education was pursued with dedication. He graduated from Okemos high school, Wheaton college in Illinois, as well as Wayne State University Law School. In 1969, he began his professional career as an Assistant prosecuting attorney for Ingham County. In 1972, the people in Michigan elected him to be a Michigan 55th district court judge. They recognized his talent and dedication.
In 1978, he won another election, this time for the Michigan 30th Circuit. His expertise and character were brought to a national stage when Ronald Reagan appointed him United States District judge for the Western District of Michigan.
He proudly assumed this prestigious position on August 6, 1987. Judge Bell served as Chief Judge between 2001 and 2008 during his 30-year career as a federal judge. He also took on regular assignments for the 6th and 9th Circuit Courts of Appeals demonstrating his exceptional abilities.
In 2010, Chief Justice John Roberts appointed him as the Chair of the Criminal Law Committee, a position he held for three years.
Judge Bell’s values were centered around family and faith, in addition to his professional accomplishments. His dedication extended to his teaching Sunday School, active participation on nonprofit boards and finding solace at the family cottage in Upper Peninsula. Helen Ruth Mortensen was his love, and they shared a beautiful life together.
Together they raised three children, Rob Jr., Ruth Bell Olsson, Jeffrey Olsson, and Jonathan (Lyndi). Six cherished grandchildren joined the Bell family: Robert III (Trace), Preston and Violet Bell as well as Zinnia Oskar and Kagiso Olsson.
Metcalf & Jonkhoff Funeral Service will facilitate the grieving process of Judge Bell’s friends and family. The visitation hours for Thursday, June 15 are from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm as well as 6:00 pm to 8:00pm. Funeral services will be held at 11 am on the following Friday, 16 June, at Mayflower Congregational Church located at 2345 Robinson Rd. SE. The interment will take place at Summit Cemetery, Williamston, Michigan at 11:15 am on Saturday June 17.
You can make memorial donations in honor of Judge Bell’s contributions to society and in memory of his memory to The Potter’s House School, located in Grand Rapids Michigan, or to Fuller Theological Seminary, located in Pasadena California. These donations will help him continue to support education and nurture future generations.
What happened to Judge Robert H. Bell
Judge Robert H. Bell was a prominent legal figure who died at age 79 in East Grand Rapids in Michigan. Metcalf & Jonkhoff Funeral Service confirmed his peaceful departure from this world on 8 June. Judge Bell’s career is marked by many achievements and contributions. In 1969, he was appointed as an assistant prosecuting lawyer for Ingham County in Michigan. He was then appointed the 55th District Court Judge three years later. This demonstrates his commitment to justice.
Former President Ronald Reagan chose Judge Bell to be a U.S. District judge for West Michigan in recognition of his outstanding legal knowledge and integrity. In this prestigious role, he presided over a variety of cases. He was particularly involved in the Marvin Gabrion trial, which attracted a lot of attention. Gabrion was sentenced to die in the early 2000s after being convicted of the murder Rachel Timmerman.
Judge Bell’s body was laid to rest on the 17th of June in Williamston, Michigan. The end of an era was marked for the legal profession, and the loss felt by the entire community. His contributions to law and the impact he had on his clients will be remembered by all who knew him.
Who was Judge Robert H. Bell?
Judge Robert H. Bell, an American jurist and lawyer who was a highly accomplished American, made a significant contribution to the legal profession. He was born on April 19, 1944 in Lansing to Preston and Eileen Bell. He grew up in Williamston, and graduated in 1962 from Okemos High School. Bell lost his father when he turned eight. This loss had a significant impact on Bell’s life.
He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Arts from Wheaton College in 1966. Bell was a track and field star at Wheaton College, showing his discipline and determination. Bell continued his legal studies in the Wayne State University Law School where he received his Juris Doctorate degree in 1969.
Bell began his legal career as an assistant county prosecution attorney in Ingham County Michigan from 1969 until 1973. He became a judge because of his passion for justice and aptitude for law. He was a judge at the Ingham District Court, Mason, Michigan from 1973 to 1978, and then the Ingham County Circuit Court, Lansing, Michigan from 1979 to 1988.
Bell was nominated by Ronald Reagan in 1987 to be a United States District Judge for the Western District of Michigan. He assumed his role on July 2 1987, after the United States Senate confirmed it. Bell’s dedication to justice, impartiality and profound legal knowledge led him to be appointed Chief Judge of Michigan’s Western District from 2001 to 2008, thanks to his commitment to the rule of law, his impartiality and his deep legal knowledge.
Bell was a federal court judge for over a decade. He made significant contributions to his district as well as beyond. In recognition of his dedication and expertise, Chief Justice John Roberts named him chairman of the Judicial Conference of the United States’ criminal law committee. Bell used his platform to speak out against mandatory minimum sentences and the injustices they bring.
Judge Bell presided over a number of notable trials, including the 2002 trial of Marvin Gabrion. He imposed the death penalty based on the recommendation of prosecutors and jurors. Bell played an important role in environmental protection. He oversaw the preservation of Lake Michigan’s sand dunes and supervised the cleanup of Kalamazoo river.
Robert H. Bell was devoted to his faith and family, even beyond his legal career. Helen Bell, his wife, was also a student at Wheaton. Together, they raised their three children. Rob Bell became a well-known pastor and founder of Mars Hill Bible Church.
Judge Robert H. Bell died on June 8, 2023 in East Grand Rapids (Michigan) at the age 79. His unwavering dedication to justice, impactful rulings and commitment to family and community will live on in his legacy.
Judge Robert H. Bell Obituary
We announce with great sadness the death of Honorable Robert Holmes Bell Sr. at the age 79. Judge Bell peacefully passed away on Thursday, 8 June 2023 in East Grand Rapids. He left behind a remarkable legacy.
Judge Bell was born in Lansing MI to Preston C. Bell and Eileen Holmes Bell. He studied hard, earning degrees from Okemos High School in Michigan, Wheaton College, Illinois, and Wayne State University Law School.
In 1969, he began his professional career as an assistant prosecutor in the Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office. In 1972, after demonstrating his legal expertise and commitment to justice, he became a Michigan District Court Judge. In 1978, citizens in Michigan recognized his outstanding abilities and elected him to the Michigan 30th circuit court.
Judge Bell’s unwavering dedication to justice and passion for upholding law was not unnoticed. He was appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1987 to be a United States District judge for the Western District of Michigan.
He began a distinguished federal career after taking the oath on August 6, 1997. In his 30 years of service as a federal judge, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership and expertise. He served as Chief Judge between 2001 and 2008.
He was able to make a significant contribution beyond his district as he took on assignments for the 9th and 6th Circuit Courts of Appeals. Judge Bell, who was recognized for his legal expertise and insight, was appointed to the Criminal Law Committee of the United States Judicial Conference.
Ses six-year service as a member of the committee was rewarded by a three-year term as chair, appointed by Chief Justice John Roberts in 2010. Judge Bell’s commitment to justice principles and upholding the laws had a lasting effect on the legal profession.
Judge Bell was devoted to his legal career and found great joy in his faith and family. Helen Ruth Mortensen was his beloved wife. He met her at Wheaton College, and she became the love of their lives.
Judge Bell was a community leader who was active in his profession and his family. He found great satisfaction in teaching Sunday School, sitting on nonprofit boards and taking peaceful vacations to the family cottage at the Upper Peninsula. The warmth of his heart and genuine concern for others made a lasting impression on all who were fortunate enough to have known him.
The family will be receiving friends at the Metcalf & Jonkhoff Funeral Service, Thursday, June 15 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, and 6:00 pm to 8:00pm, to honor the memory Judge Robert H. Bell. The funeral service will take place at 11 am on the Friday, 16th of June, at Mayflower Congregational Church located at 2345 Robinson Rd. SE.
Summit Cemetery, Williamston, MI, will host the interment on Saturday, June 17 at 11:15 am. To honor Judge Bell’s unwavering dedication to education and to remember his life, memorial donations can be made to The Potter’s House School, Grand Rapids, MI and Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena CA.