Richard Keith Bell

Born in Adrian, Michigan on December 29th, 1943, Richard Keith Bell was destined for an impactful, experience-rich life. His father, a dental lab technician and brilliant amateur inventor, and his mother, a fellow lab technician, raised him in Dallas, Texas. From there he launched into a life full of world travel and adventure.

He collected rattlesnakes for Southwestern College during his 2 years there. One of those rattlesnakes quite effectively resisted, biting Richard on his right middle finger. He was hospitalized for 3 days but ultimately was able to keep his finger. The rattlesnake, however, never again saw the light of day and has been the study of countless students. Richard completed his college education at Andrews University where no further rattlesnakes were involved.

In 1965, Richard volunteered for the US Army as a conscientious objector in order to pay for medical school. During his time in the Army, Dr. Wright, his commanding officer, took a special interest in Richard and ended up helping him get through medical school by giving him $100 per month for 5 years. This had a large impact on Richard and he recounted how important Dr. Wright was to him on multiple occasions.

Richard also volunteered to be a medical photographer for 3 months in Vietnam, where he photographed and participated in setting up field hospitals, surgeries for the wounded, and even dust off missions. He got married during his time in the Army and had his first child, Denise Louise Bell, in 1967.

From 1969 until 1974, Richard attended Loma Linda University School of Medicine (LLUSM). Unfortunately, his marriage did not survive the rigors of medical school. But he found the help of Dr. William Loveless to be immeasurable through this trying time. During his time in medical school, he traveled to Greece with the LLUSM heart team.

Upon graduating, Richard moved to Florida where he attended the family medicine residency at Florida Hospital in Orlando. Within 2 weeks of arriving, his attention was drawn to a particularly attractive young lady. Though she was dating someone else at the time, Richard patiently bided his time until she was available almost a year later. He asked her out on a date immediately after her other relationship ended. Within a year, he became engaged and married to Jo Anne Goral. He would later tell his son that “when you know, you know. Why waste time?” So he didn’t! Richard and Jo Anne spent 3 months traveling throughout Europe on their honeymoon. During his residency he also traveled to Honduras and Nicaragua to assist in medical work there, each for a couple months.

In 1978 he opened his own medical practice in Hayden Lake, Idaho. There, in north Idaho, he found the place he wanted to call home for the rest of his life. In 1982, Ryan Matthew Bell was born to Richard and Jo Anne, forever changing their lives (and making the writing of this obituary possible). Richard’s practice thrived and before long he was known and respected throughout the city of Coeur d’Alene by patients and fellow providers alike.

Richard was known for his deep, well-thought-out insights. He rarely said something without giving his words considerable thought, and his family and his church deeply appreciated and benefitted from his counsel. As a physician he healed bodies, but as a deeply thoughtful, christian man he helped heal souls.

During his last days, while spending his time in the hospital and then a few other facilities, his family would frequently hear comments such as “Oh, Dr. Bell! My mother was a patient of his and she LOOOOOVES him!” or “Dr. Bell was such a good doctor! I was so sad when he retired and I had to find someone else.”

While the world has lost a deeply caring, God-centered, insightful man, we can be comforted by the knowledge that we can all see him again in perfect form when Jesus returns. Until then, may we all have learned something from this remarkable man and perhaps remember to pause and listen before we speak, so that we too may be known for our thoughtful insights instead of harsh, short-tempered remarks.

Richard is survived by his wife, Jo Anne Bell, his daughter, Denise Louise Johnson, his son, Ryan Matthew Bell, Ryan’s wife, Krysten Marie Bell, and his 3 crazy but amazing grandchildren.

Celebration of Life will be held Friday, April 11, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. at the Coeur d' Alene Seventh Day Adventist Church. Arrangements by English Funeral Chapel, Post Falls.