Robert L. Bell of Delmar passed away on Friday, Oct. 28, 2022 at his home surrounded by his loving family after losing a three year battle with cancer.

Bob was born on March 13, 1949 in Cambridge, a son of the late Lillian A. Bell and Merritt B. Bell.

Bob was a graduate of North Dorchester High School with the class of 1967. He owned Robert Bell Construction for many years, building custom homes, garages, and chicken houses. He was very talented in his field, making blueprints himself and was quite the mathematician, never needing a calculator, he installed landscaping with heavy machinery and built septic systems. He built his own family home and also the treehouse for his children and grandchildren with an elevator behind their home. Over the years the treehouse grew in size and was a special place to host parties and family reunions. He enjoyed camping and fishing with his family, on those trips he would often entertain his family by riding his bike backwards. He loved time spent with his grandkids, and they loved riding his many golf carts around his house when they visited. 

He was a baseball coach for Delmar Little League for years and also sponsored his own team and served as manager. He was a collector of coins and old cars. He enjoyed restoring his cars, which included a dune buggy, Model A, and a 64 LeMans, which he would take to car shows and also parades. Bob was a great storyteller. After telling stories he had the ability to make you believe the story was true. He never met a stranger, and would give you the shirt off his back.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Donna Rae Bell; sons, Rodney E. Bell and wife Kelly, Keith R. Bell and wife Kimberly, and Robert D. Bell and wife Christina; grandchildren, Breannah Bell, Emily Bell, Ethan Bell, Kayla Brittingham, Joshua Bell, Ashton Bell, Isaac Bell, Danny Mosley, III, and McKenzie Bell; great-granddaughter, Brynnlee K. Harmon; sisters, Bonnie Willey and husband Larry, and Nancy Harrold; a brother, Norman Bell and wife Betty; many nieces and nephews; and good friends, Frank Cummings, Harold Insley and Bernie Edwards.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Gerald and Roy Bell; and a special brother-in-law, Chubby Joe Harrold.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 12 at noon at Reid’s Grove United Methodist Church on 5076 Reid’s Grove Road in Vienna. Pastor Barbara Mills Neighoff will officiate.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Compassionate Care Hospice, the staff was awesome and Bob loved them all.

In memory of Mr. Bell, contributions may be sent to Reids Grove United Methodist Church, 5076 Reid’s Grove Road, Vienna, MD 21869, or to Amedisys, Inc., Attn. Amedisys Foundation, 3854 American Way, Suite A, Baton Rouge, La 70816.

Arrangements are in the care of Short Funeral Home in Delmar. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.shorthfh.com.