Richard Bell

Dr. Richard Trent Bell, 79, of Spring Township, passed away on October 10, 2025, at Reading Hospital. He was the loving husband of Karen (Taylor) Bell. They were married on August 23, 1969, in Allentown and enjoyed more than 56 years of marriage.

Born in Baltimore, MD, Richard was the son of the late Vernon Adam Veith Bell and Clara Beatrice (Scull) Bell. He graduated from Haddonfield Memorial High School in 1964, where he later received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003.

Richard earned his B.A. in Biology from Lehigh University in 1968, graduating with university and departmental honors. While at Lehigh, he was an active member of campus life-serving on the Class Cabinet, playing in the Marching 97 Band, contributing to the Epitome yearbook, serving on the Greek Council, and joining Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. His lifelong connection to Lehigh continued after graduation, as he served on the Lehigh University Alumni Association Board and volunteered with the Annual Fund, Phonathon, Parents' Council, and Career Services and Admissions. A devoted fan, Richard was a proud member of the 50+ Game Club and never missed a Lehigh-Lafayette football game since his freshman year in 1964. He also served as a Class Correspondent for the Lehigh Alumni Bulletin and received the Lehigh Alumni Award in 1988 for outstanding service and dedication to the university.

Richard went on to earn his M.D. from Thomas Jefferson University's Medical College in Philadelphia in 1972, where he was a member of Phi Alpha Sigma Medical Fraternity. He then completed a three-year internship and residency at Lankenau Hospital in Wynnewood, PA.

Following his residency, Richard served for two years as a Major in the U.S. Air Force at Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, specializing in Internal Medicine. Beyond his medical duties, he advocated for women facing domestic abuse-standing up for those whose voices were too often unheard.

After his military service, Richard completed a Fellowship in Pulmonary Medicine at Albert Einstein Medical Center, Northern Division, in Philadelphia from 1977 to 1979. He joined Reading Hospital in 1979, practicing Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine alongside Dr. John Shuman. He retired in 2013 after 34 years of devoted service.

Professionally, he was deeply involved with organized medicine. He was active in the Pennsylvania Medical Society for 45 years and the American Medical Association for 34 years, serving in numerous leadership roles including Alternate Delegate and Delegate to the AMA House, member of the Committee to Nominate Delegates and Alternates, and a Specialty Delegate for Pulmonary Disease. He was also a Delegate and past President (1988) of the Berks County Medical Society and a longtime member of the American Lung Association. In the 1990s, he served as Board Chair for the Berks County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Outside of medicine, Richard had a lifelong passion for learning. An avid reader, especially of history, he amassed a personal collection of books-it was often joked that he could open his own library. He enjoyed attending lectures at the Lehigh County Historical Society, of which he was a member. He delighted in solving challenging crossword puzzles from The New York Times and the National Observer, and loved games like bridge, Scrabble, and cribbage, always with a healthy competitive spirit.

Music was another great joy in his life; he played the saxophone, clarinet, and oboe, and appreciated both classical music and classic rock-especially Bob Dylan, Fleetwood Mac, and The Rolling Stones. Handy and creative, he could repair or refurbish almost anything, from weaving chair seats to restoring furniture.

Though highly accomplished, Richard remained humble and down-to-earth. He preferred to be called "Mr. Bell" and found great joy in humor-especially the films of Mel Brooks. A loyal Philadelphia sports fan, he also enjoyed taking his New York Yankees-loving daughter to "Yanks" games.

Family was at the heart of Richard's life. He adored his wife and daughters, and though he often credited Karen for raising their children due to his demanding career, he was fully present with his family when home. He loved holidays-especially Christmas-and gatherings filled with people. Travel was a family passion, with trips to Hilton Head Island, Europe, Canada, and Hawaii. A talented cook, he loved preparing homemade pasta, crepes, sauces, and his signature gin martinis and Bloody Marys. Surrounded by his wife and daughters, he was also grateful for his loyal male cats, who-he liked to say-were the only ones who ever took his side. Above all, Richard was endlessly proud of his family, especially his daughters and granddaughters.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughters: Kristin Elizabeth Bell of Wyomissing; Allison Jean Bell Barrett (Sean) of Springfield, VA; and Lauren Bell Isaacs (Michael) of Raleigh, NC; and granddaughters Evelyn and Margaret Isaacs. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Jane Taylor of Allentown, and numerous cousins: Dorothy Lecznar Bell of CT; JoAnn (Bell) Miner of MA; Jean (Bell) Van Camp (Jim) of WV; Mary (Van Camp) Doran (Mike) of PA; Carillon (Bell) Copeland of CT; Richard Bell (Linda) of VT; Mary Bell (Peter) of MA; Becky (Bell) Green (Ed) of NY; Kathy Bell (Colleen Richard) of CT; Julie (Willcott) Bell (David) of ME; and Jean Copeland of MD.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to Enhabit Home Health for their compassionate care.

Public services will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Lehigh University Marching 97 Band (marching97.org) or the Lehigh County Historical Society (lehighcountyhistoricalsociety.org).

Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading, is honored to assist the Bell family. Condolences may be expressed at kuhnfuneralhomes.com