Charles H. Bell

Bell Charles H. Bell, age 95 of Santa Barbara, California and formerly of Wayzata died on April 12th after 3 weeks of declining health in the hospital and his decision to cease all treatment. He was surrounded by close family and slipped away peacefully. He attended Blake School in Minneapolis, Hotchkiss School at Lakeville, Conn., and Yale University for three years before leaving to marry his wife and long time partner, Lucy Winton. He was the former President and Chairman of General Mills where he worked for 47 years. At the age of 22, Bell joined the company to learn about flour milling. His career with the company spanned 47 years and included broad aspects of the company, including accounting, auditing, sales, research and production. Bell retired from General Mills in 1969 but remained on the Board of Directors until 1977. He was also a long time board member of US Steel and Burlington Northern. Outside of work, he was active in conservation and the arts. He was a Trustee and Chairman for many years of the Delta Waterfowl Foundation. He was a Life Trustee of the Minneapolis Society of Fine Arts and the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. In the 1970's he oversaw the major expansion of the Art Institute, the College and Children's Theater complex. Bell and his family established Belwin, an outdoor educational laboratory for the St. Paul and Stillwater schools and later the supporting the establishment of the Lucy Winton Bell Athletic Fields complex on property owned by Belwin. He continued to golf, fish, travel and entertain until his death. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Lucy and John Hartwell of Wayzata, grandchildren Penny Hatten (Dean) of Bozeman, David Hartwell (Elizabeth De Baut) of Minneapolis, Jill Geoffrion (Tim) of Wayzata, Lucy Heegaard (Jeff) of Gijon, Spain and Charlie Hartwell (Robin) of Minnetonka, 12 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Lucy in 1994, his son David in 1955, his sister Sally in 1973, brothers Ford in 1980 and Sam in 1986. A celebration of his life will be held on Friday, April 25th at 2:00 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be sent to Belwin, 1660 Highway 100 S., #426, Minneapolis, MN 55416 or the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, 2400 Third Avenue S, Minneapolis, MN 55404.

Published on April 15, 2003