Every student Kettering University Professor of Chemistry Reg Bell encountered in his more than 50 years on Kettering faculty was among his “favorite students” for a very simple reason -- he unwaveringly believed that Kettering students and alumni are the best and most talented in the world.

Bell, who passed away this week, was a tireless advocate for Kettering students throughout his career, personally influencing the lives of thousands of students.

“For those of us who pursue teaching as a career, we do so hoping that we will have impact in some positive way on the lives and careers of our students,” said Kettering University President Dr. Robert K. McMahan. “Reg achieved this for thousands of students, and so much more. He made an indelible impact on their lives. He did on mine as well.”

Bell’s career at Kettering University (formerly General Motors Institute) began in 1963. Bell, a North Carolina native and graduate of Wake Forest and the University of Tennessee, famously arrived on campus driving a 1959 Cadillac that he adored -- a restored version of which he was surprised with as a gift from Bob Kagle ‘78 during the Homecoming 2013 celebration of Bell’s 200th consecutive term teaching.

“Our students are geared toward excellence and achievement,” Bell said in 2013. “The students will always come first for me. The most fortunate thing that happened to me was finding out about this school.”

Bell was known not only for energetic teaching methods that included jumping on desks, blowing things up and injecting his one-of-a-kind sense of humor into courses and labs -- he was also known for taking an active and caring role in the lives of innumerable students. Over the years, he composed thousands of recommendation letters for current and former students. He helped students who ran into financial difficulties find scholarships to stay enrolled and finish their degrees. He provided advice and counsel that has critically shaped thousands of lives and careers.

Back row (left to right): Dr. Jim Cohen, Dr. Veronica Moorman, Dr. Stacy Seeley, Dr. Michelle Ammerman, Dr. Cheryl Samaniego. Front row: Mia Jonascu, Professor Reg Bell, Elyse Hossink.

“He was an inspiration to us all and showed us by example how to live life,” said Dr. Stacy Seeley, department head of Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering and Applied Biology at Kettering University. “His cup always more than half full, he taught us to see the good in everything and to give of oneself. He was an example of the type of professor that we all strive to be and no one will ever be as dedicated to the students and university as Professor Reg Bell. We loved him dearly: he was an exemplary teacher, colleague, mentor and friend.”

There were very few requests from students that he would decline – he even took a starring role in several student-produced dance videos in recent years that remain YouTube sensations.

One of his very first students was Joe Spielman ‘68, retired vice president of manufacturing at General Motors. Spielman, like Bell, arrived on campus in 1963, noted in 2013 that Bell’s “whole life is his students” and that literally hundreds of the best company presidents, CEOs, CFOs and vice presidents around the country today all learned from Bell.

Dr. Terry Lynch-Caris ‘88, the current director of the Center for Teaching and Learning at Kettering, said she had a great role model as an undergraduate student.

“I have fond memories of how Reg engaged in his classroom,” Lynch-Caris said. “On the first day of class he walked in with a side body panel from a car to begin the discussion of polymers. Every week rather than a quiz, he gave us a weekly ‘opportunity’ to demonstrate what we learned. Reg defines student-faculty engagement and was truly the heart and soul of Kettering.”

Reg was instrumental in launching the Bell-Kagle Undergraduate Research Internship program, which provides intensive research co-op positions for students in Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry. He was even famous for finding his way onto campus tours when prospective students and families were visiting Kettering and for then giving them a customized tour - and insights about the University that only Reg was capable of providing.

His advice to those students and families was often very similar -- "you cannot afford not to come to Kettering. A degree from Kettering is the key to success,” he was famous for saying.

Bell received several institutional awards for his commitment to teaching and research, including the Outstanding Teaching Award in 1969, 1986, 1995 and 2002 and the Tutt Award for Innovation in Teaching in 1979. In 2015, he was part of the inaugural class of faculty enshrined on Kettering’s Faculty Wall of Honor.

Bell was also a longtime advisor to the Theta Xi fraternity. He was awarded the Greek Life Faculty Member of the Year award in 2009.

In addition to teaching, Bell was a major ping-pong enthusiast -- known to attract alumni back to campus for rematches. He also enjoyed playing bridge and discussing astronomy.

“It is impossible to overstate Reg’s impact on Kettering University in his more than 50 years on our faculty,” McMahan said. “Throughout his remarkable career, though, there was one constant – his unwavering commitment to the success of our students. Reg never had a student who he did not count among his favorites. I have met hundreds of members of multi-generational Kettering families all of whom counted themselves among his favorite students, and of course, Reg remembered everything about each and every one of them.”