Dr. Harold L. Bell

Dr. Harold L. Bell, 70, of Moline, a well-known Augustana College Professor, died Tuesday, May 6, 2003, in Trinity Medical Center, Rock Island.

Services are 2 p.m. Saturday in Ascension Chapel at Augustana College, Rock Island. Private burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery, Portland, Tennessee. A gathering of friends will be held from 4 until 8 p.m. Friday at Trimble Funeral Home, Moline, with a special time for sharing memories at 7 p.m. Friday. Memorials may be made to the Harold Bell Scholarship Fund at Augustana College.

Harold Leonard Bell was born November 9, 1932, in Mitchellville, Tennessee, the son of William Leonard and Mattie Leona (Poole) Bell. He graduated from the University of Memphis, received his Masters Degree from Vanderbilt University, Nashville, where he was a Woodrow Wilson Fellow, and received his PhD Degree from the University of Illinois, where he was a Failie Fellow.

He married Datha Anne Brown on January 9, 1953, in Portland, Tennessee. He was a Sergeant in the U. S. Marine Corps during the Korean War. Dr. Bell was Professor of Political Science at Augustana College from 1965 until his retirement in 2000. During that time, he served several terms as Department Head, and was guest professor and lecturer all over the world. Among his many achievements at Augustana College, he started and ran the Internship Program, founded the Black Culture House, started the Foreign Study Program, help found the Faculty Senate, and established the Black Caucus in 1968, and brought The Reverend Jesse Jackson and Roy Innes Sr. to the campus . He was a member of McKendree Memorial United Methodist Church, Portland, Tennessee, and numerous professional organizations. He served as Political Analyst for WHBF-TV, channel Four, for several years. His passion was his job. He loved history, political science and trivia, and enjoyed reading and traveling.

Harold is survived by his wife, Anne Brown Bell; a son and daughter-in-law, Jeff and Suzan Bell of Moline; a former daughter-in-law, Debra Hux of Rock Island; five grandchildren, Wade and his wife Kalyca, Clint, Wesley, Seth, and Luke Bell; two great-granddaughters, Acacia Bell and Danika Bleuer; and a sister, Joanne Jones of Kenner, Louisiana. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Jane Folladori.

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