Edwin L. Bell, Ii

READING - Edwin Lewis Bell, II, "Ned", a longtime resident of Reading, passed away peacefully in the presence of family on Wednesday, August 25, 2010 at Willow Valley in Lancaster. He was a devoted husband, father and emeritus professor biology at Albright College. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Frances Louise Reichard Bell, three sons and daughters-in-law; Ernest Michael and Christine Bell of Wellsely, MA, Stephen Thomas and Wendy Bell of Lancaster and Eric Leslie and Linda Bell of Webster, NY and eight grandchildren. Dr. Bell was born in Danville on May 13, 1926. His parents were the late Dr. Edwin Massie Bell and Rachael Snyder Bell. His father was a physician at Devitt's Camp in Allenwood, PA and his mother, a former executive secretary of the Sunbury/Northumberland Tuberculosis and Health Society. Dr. Bell graduated from Bucknell University in 1948 with a BS in Biology; from Penn State University in 1950 with a MS in Zoology and Bacteriology; and from the University of Illinois in 1954 with a PhD in Zoology and Entomology. He taught Biology at Moravian College from 1952 - 1954 before joining the faculty of Albright College in 1954. He served as Chairman in the Department of Biology and Preprofessional Advisor of Health Sciences over a 40 year career. Dr. Bell was active in Boy Scouting and attained the rank of Eagle Scout with a Gold Palm. He was a scout leader in many roles in The Susquehanna Valley and Daniel Boone Boy Scout Council. He was past President and Treasurer of the Mengel Natural history Society of Berks County. He was a founding member of The Friends of the Reading Museum and an archivist in the library at Albright College during and after his teaching years. He was an avid stamp and coin collector. He was a member of the Holy Cross Methodist Church in Reading and active in Adult Fellowship. There will be a public viewing from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, September 02, 2010 at The Dale E. Ranck Funeral Service, 125 N. Front St., Milton, PA 17847, with the funeral service beginning at 11:00 a.m. The Reverend Will R. Hallman will officiate the services. Burial will follow in the Harmony Cemetery, Milton. A Remembrance and Memorial Service is planned in the near future at Albright College with a forthcoming public announcement.