John R. "Bob" Bell, 75, of New Tripoli, died on April 25, 2013, in Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township.

He and his wife Ruth Shaufner Bell would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Oct. 19.

Born Aug. 13, 1937, in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, he was the son of the late Robert W. and Ellen M. (Miller) Bell.

He faithfully and honorably served his country in the U.S. Navy during a peacetime era.

An assistant vice president at Meridian Bank (now Wells Fargo), Allentown, he retired in 1995 after 33 years of service.

He was a charter member and past president of Blue Spruce Riding Club, Alburtis.

An elder of Ebenezer United Church of Christ, New Tripoli, he sang with the choir and served as past consistory president.

In addition to his loving wife, he is survived by sons Michael R. and his wife, Rebecca, and their children, Thomas, Emily and Matthew of New Tripoli, Mark E. and his wife, Elisa C. Schuetz, M.D. and their children, Andrew and Ada of Bristol, Tenn.; and brother James E. and his wife, June, of North Port, Fla.

He was predeceased by a sister, Janet Comstock.

Expressions of sympathy may be recorded at heintzelmancares.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to the planned giving fund of the church c/o the funeral home, P.O. Box 196, Schnecksville, PA 18078-0196.

Arrangements made by Heintzelman Funeral Home, Inc., Schnecksville.