Walter J. Bell, 78, of Allentown, died Nov. 4, 2022, surrounded by his family in Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township.

He and his wife, Mary Ellen (Pierce) Bell, were married 54 years April 6.

Born Jan. 19, 1944, in Providence, R.I., he was the son of the late Francis J. and Ruby Rietta (McRostie) Bell.

He earned his Bachelor of Science and Master’s degrees from the University of Maryland.

He faithfully and honorably served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, during which he was proudly a navigator of the A6A Bombardier Intruder.

He was employed in logistics at Air Products and Chemicals Inc., Trexlertown, for 33 years before retiring in 2003.

A competitive bridge player, he won many tournaments, and was a PIAA swim official for more than 20 years.

A true humanitarian, he devoted his time and resources to numerous charities, specifically, he and his wife were proud to provide scholarships to the St. Luke’s Nursing School.

He was known for his adventurous spirit.

He and his wife traveled to all seven continents and many countries in between.

They have gone whitewater rafting, cruised to Antarctica, and seen the animals in Africa.

He also completed his dreams of scuba diving in Pitcairn and a rim-to-rim hike of the Grand Canyon.

Knowing him, he still had more trips in mind for the future.

In addition to his loving wife, he is survived by a son Brian G. Bell and his wife, Amy, of Schnecksville; daughter Tracy B. Scully and her husband, Kevin, of Chesterbrook; and grandchildren Pierce, TJ, Dougie, Nora, Ryan and Everly.

He was predeceased by brothers Charles and Peter Bell.

His memorial service will be 10:30 a.m. Nov. 19 in Heintzelman Funeral Home Inc., 4906 Route 309, Schnecksville, with the Rev. Dr. David Charles Smith officiating.

Family and friends may pay their respects 9:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home.

Interment with military honors will follow the service at Grandview Cemetery, South Whitehall.

Expressions of sympathy may be made at heintzelmancares.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association c/o the funeral home, P.O. Box 196, Schnecksville, PA 18078-0196.