Here is a picture I just got from my cousin of my grandfather during his time as a pilot in WWII. I love it.A reporter for the San Gabriel Valley tribune saw my grandfather's obituary in the paper. She thought to herself, "I've got to do a story on this man." So she contacted my dad and his sisters. Of course, a lot of stuff is left out, but it's a pretty good summary. There is one funny thing about this story, though. My dad loves Dan Fogelberg (total 70's music artist) and the song, "Leader of the Band". It's about a dad and his sons and music. My dad loved the song and the words reminded him of his dad. Anyway, my dad talked about that song in the interview and the reporter botched it and titled the song as, "Leader of the Pack"!!! You all know that song right? Can you hear the engines revving? That motorcycle-biker song, right?! Isn't that hilarious!?
Here is a copy of the article:
He flew bombers in World War II, spent 20 years recording math books for the blind and gave his wife a kiss the first thing when he got home from work.
A man who loved God, his country, his job and his family, Max Daniel Bell of Covina died July 20 at the age of 86.
Born in Muldoon, Texas, Bell joined the military and flew more than 70 missions as a B-25 pilot during World War II.
"He was very reluctant to talk about his service in the war," said his son Dan Bell, 55. "He didn't want the spotlight to be on him, because it was about his country."
Whenever the family went on vacation, he made sure they stopped at national historic landmarks, she said.
He loved his country.
"I was grateful he taught us ... to be patriotic," said 59-year-old Susan Germany of her father.
"He encouraged me to be my best and showed he was proud of me," said Germany. "I wanted to do my best for him."
Bell started his educational career as a math teacher and later became the deputy superintendent for administration at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut.
Because of his love for math, he spent 20 years recording math textbooks for the blind.
He was also involved with the Meals on Wheels program, a member and chairman for the Covina Lions Club for 40 years, serving one term as president.
Home life for the Bell family was a pleasant one with a loving-and-hard-working father and a stay-at-home mother.
"We were really lucky," Germany said. "We grew up in a wonderful home. He was a great father he did a lot of things with his family."
The song "Leader of the Pack" reminds son Dan Bell of his father. "That's kinda the way dad was - `thundering velvet hand' (lyrics from the song)," said Dan Bell.
"He expected us to do well, try hard, not screw around, mess up or get in trouble," Dan Bell said.
"He had a velvet touch. Dad was very intelligent and wanted us to excel in our chosen fields."
He established a scholarship fund for his 21 grandchildren.
Bell was a respected man who set a precedent for the people around him and still had a sense of humor, family members said. "I remember he could be very serious, but he was also at times the life of the party," said Germany.
Bell was an honest man, consistent in his values, and served as an example to his children in the way he volunteered and served his community, they said. "His family was religious and he caught on, he was determined to live a Christian life," said Dan Bell.
"We remember as kids, he came home from work every day at the same time and went through the kitchen and kissed my mom. But Thursday night he went to choir at church."
Helen Bell, his wife, preceded him in death. He is also survived by daughter DeAnne Anderson, 21 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.
http://www.sgvtribune.com/rds_search/ci_12975939
Now here are some verses to the song, "Leader of the Band." My dad saw my papa as the "Leader of the Band." It makes me cry now thinking about my dad and my grandpa. Such true words.
I thank you for the music
And your stories of the road
I thank you for the freedom
When it came my time to go --
I thank you for the kindness
And the times when you got tough
And, papa, I dont think I Said
I love you near enough --
The leader of the band is tired
And his eyes are growing old
But his blood runs through
My instrument
And his song is in my soul --
My life has been a poor attempt
To imitate the man
Im just a living legacy
To the leader of the band.
Here is a copy of the article:
He flew bombers in World War II, spent 20 years recording math books for the blind and gave his wife a kiss the first thing when he got home from work.
A man who loved God, his country, his job and his family, Max Daniel Bell of Covina died July 20 at the age of 86.
Born in Muldoon, Texas, Bell joined the military and flew more than 70 missions as a B-25 pilot during World War II.
"He was very reluctant to talk about his service in the war," said his son Dan Bell, 55. "He didn't want the spotlight to be on him, because it was about his country."
Whenever the family went on vacation, he made sure they stopped at national historic landmarks, she said.
He loved his country.
"I was grateful he taught us ... to be patriotic," said 59-year-old Susan Germany of her father.
"He encouraged me to be my best and showed he was proud of me," said Germany. "I wanted to do my best for him."
Bell started his educational career as a math teacher and later became the deputy superintendent for administration at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut.
Because of his love for math, he spent 20 years recording math textbooks for the blind.
He was also involved with the Meals on Wheels program, a member and chairman for the Covina Lions Club for 40 years, serving one term as president.
Home life for the Bell family was a pleasant one with a loving-and-hard-working father and a stay-at-home mother.
"We were really lucky," Germany said. "We grew up in a wonderful home. He was a great father he did a lot of things with his family."
The song "Leader of the Pack" reminds son Dan Bell of his father. "That's kinda the way dad was - `thundering velvet hand' (lyrics from the song)," said Dan Bell.
"He expected us to do well, try hard, not screw around, mess up or get in trouble," Dan Bell said.
"He had a velvet touch. Dad was very intelligent and wanted us to excel in our chosen fields."
He established a scholarship fund for his 21 grandchildren.
Bell was a respected man who set a precedent for the people around him and still had a sense of humor, family members said. "I remember he could be very serious, but he was also at times the life of the party," said Germany.
Bell was an honest man, consistent in his values, and served as an example to his children in the way he volunteered and served his community, they said. "His family was religious and he caught on, he was determined to live a Christian life," said Dan Bell.
"We remember as kids, he came home from work every day at the same time and went through the kitchen and kissed my mom. But Thursday night he went to choir at church."
Helen Bell, his wife, preceded him in death. He is also survived by daughter DeAnne Anderson, 21 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.
http://www.sgvtribune.com/rds_search/ci_12975939
Now here are some verses to the song, "Leader of the Band." My dad saw my papa as the "Leader of the Band." It makes me cry now thinking about my dad and my grandpa. Such true words.
I thank you for the music
And your stories of the road
I thank you for the freedom
When it came my time to go --
I thank you for the kindness
And the times when you got tough
And, papa, I dont think I Said
I love you near enough --
The leader of the band is tired
And his eyes are growing old
But his blood runs through
My instrument
And his song is in my soul --
My life has been a poor attempt
To imitate the man
Im just a living legacy
To the leader of the band.
4 comments:
What a nice article, and a very handsome picture of your grandpa. Sounds like he was a wonderful man, and he accomplished so much! Sorry for your loss, but I bet it makes your family happy knowing him and your grandma are together again.
So with TWO grandfathers as math teachers - why didn't the Bell children excell as outstanding mathletes? :-)
I call my grandfather "Papa" too. He sounds like such a neat person, I'm sure he is very much missed.
Thanks for sharing that! Love ya Colette
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