Capt. Ronald Mack Bell

Capt. Ronald Mack Bell, SC, USN (Ret) 78, of St. Simons Island, GA, passed away on Friday, June 12, 2015, at the Hospice of the Golden Isles. He was born in Atlanta, GA on March 4, 1937. He graduated from North Fulton High School in 1955. In 1959 he graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with a degree in Industrial Management and in 1965 earned his M.B.A. (with Distinction) from the University of Michigan. Additionally, he graduated from the Cornell University Executive Development Program in 1980.

After receiving his commission through the NROTC program at Georgia Tech, Ron graduated from the Navy Supply Corps School and was assigned duty as Supply Officer on the USS Westchester County (LST 1167). Subsequent duty stations included: Instructor/Branch Head, Navy Supply Corps School, Athens, GA; Navy Purchasing Office, London, England; Navy Supply Systems Command Headquarters, Washington, DC; Supply Officer, USS L.Y. Spear (AS 36); Assistant Force Supply Officer, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet; Commanding Officer of the Fleet Polaris Material Office, Charleston, SC; Logistics Support Coordinator for the Strategic Systems Project Office, Washington, DC; and Commanding Officer, Navy Supply Corps School, Athens, GA.

Ron’s awards include the Legion of Merit (2), the Meritorious Service Medal (2), Navy Commendation Medal (2), Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and the Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon (Sharpshooter). He was also a submarine qualified Supply Corps Officer, with the rare honor of being awarded his Dolphins as a Senior Officer, in recognition of his extensive service during his career in support of the US Submarine Forces.

Upon retirement from the Navy in 1985, Ron joined the research faculty at his alma mater, Georgia Tech, first as Associate Director for the

Office of Contract Administration, then as Vice President and General Manager of the Georgia Tech Research Corporation. He retired from Georgia Tech after 13 years and began his third career as a consultant to university connected research foundations. As founder of Coastal Consultants, Inc. and UCRF Support Associates, he worked with more than 40 research universities and was considered, as one university put it, “one of the country’s leading experts” on university connected research foundations.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Deborah Slaton Bell of St. Simons Island; his children, Debbie Winchester (Jeff) of Greenville, SC, Wendy Green (Ron) of Lawrenceville, GA, and Scott Bell (Teresa) of Sumter, SC; and seven grandchildren: Chris (Lauren), Katie, Emily, Patrick, Lindsey, Mack, and Evan.

A celebration of his life will be held on Monday, June 22, at 2:00 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church at Frederica, 6520 Frederica Road, St. Simons Island, GA. A visitation period and reception will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Wesley United Methodist Church Benevolence Fund (6520 Frederica Road, St. Simons Island, GA 31522), the Navy Supply Corps Foundation (P.O. Box 6228, Athens, GA 30604), or the Georgia Tech Foundation (225 North Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30332).