Alan Dave Bell

January 14, 1950

December 15, 2021

Alan Dave Bell, 71, of North Bend, passed away December 15, 2021 in Coos Bay, OR.

I couldn’t find an obituary for Dave Bell.

Though we didn’t know each other in high school, we had some good conversations in the lead-up to the 50th reunion. I apparently convinced him to come—with his new wife. They drove down from Coos Bay, Oregon, nearly nonstop, in a vintage Corvette.

They arrived a little late and ended up at a table tucked in the back. That’s where Vicki and I met up with them. It was just the four of us, and we had a great time together.

After the reunion, Dave and I exchanged a number of spirited emails. He had an active mind and a strong moral compass. I believe he spent most of his career working with PG&E or another utility. We also spoke on the phone a few times. He definitely had a geeky streak—and was proud of it. One of those guys who didn’t go to college, but was pretty sure he was smarter than most of the people who did. He probably was.

It’s strange how things just go quiet. After not hearing from him for several months, I did an obituary search and found a listing from Oregon. His wife may not have even known we’d been in touch on and off for a couple of years. I eventually tracked down his former spouse, who confirmed that Dave had passed away.

I know he’d had some health issues, though we never discussed the specifics.

I found Dave to be a sincere, thoughtful man—with a good sense of right and wrong.