Personal Data
Born: March 24, 1943
Graduated: Ephrata High School Ephrata, Washington, 1961
Graduated: Washington State University, 1966
Degree: Civil Engineering
Commissioned: U.S. Army, 2nd Lt.
Married: Wife, Candace Bell
Children: Jennifer, Christopher, Gretchen, Frank, Betsey
Grandchildren: Emma, Brice, Ryan, Ethan
Career Data
1966-1967: City of Los Angeles, Bureau of Engineering as a junior civil engineer
1967-1968: Active duty, U.S. Army, as a construction platoon leader, 77th Port Construction Co., Ft. Belvoir, Virginia
1968-1969: Transferred to VietNam. Assigned to 497th Port Construction Company as construction platoon leader. Promoted to 1st Lt. and reassigned as company operations officer. As operations officer, I was in charge of directing the construction operations of 350 men to include 13 officers. The 497th port construction company built most of the major port facilities in VietNam. We were responsible for the design, procurement and construction of these facilities. I was awarded the Bronze Star along with other citations before returning to the United States. I was discharged in May, 1969.
1969-1974: Moved to Anchorage, Alaska and took a position with Tryck, Nyman & Hayes Consulting Engineers. I passed the professional engineer exam in 1971 as was registered as a Professional Engineer and also as Registered Land Surveyor.
1974-Present: Established Bell Herring & Associates. In 1980 John Herring retired and the company became F. Robert Bell & Associates. In 1986 we acquired Crews, MacInnes & Hoffman/VITRO to become a full-service engineering firm. Since 1980 F. Robert Bell & Associates has been one of the largest engineering and surveying firms in Alaska. We currently have 40 employees. Over the years, we have provided jobs for over 1000 Alaskans. I have published two books “Oh No! We’re Gonna Die—Humorous Tales of Close Calls in Alaska’s Wilderness” and “Oh No! We’re Gonna Die Too—More Humorous Tales of Close Calls in Alaska’s Wilderness.”
Community Service
Anchorage Chamber of Commerce Board
MOA Building Board
Urban Design Commission
MOA Building Review Board
Downtown Rotary Board
Rotary Foundation Banquet Chair
Rotary Polio Plus Chairman
Alaska State Board of Game
Conference of Alaskans Member
Anchorage Municipal Assembly
Alaska Theatre of Youth Board President
Republican Party Percent Chair
Delegate Republican State Convention
Chair for Alaskans for Legislative Reform (term limits)
Anchorage Jaycees VP
1% for the Arts Committees
Performing Arts Center Board
Multiscriosis Board
MS Leadership Council
St. Benedicts Building Board
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Council
Statewide President of Consulting Engineers Council
North Stare Business Association President
ML7P Board
Campbell Lake Owners Board
Candidate for Mayor of Anchorage
1/lt. US Army
Memberships
Rotary
Chamber of Commerce
QB’s
The Alliance
Petroleum Club
NSBA
SCI
NRA
VFW
American Legion
Alaska Pioneers
Knights of Columbus
American Society of Civil Engineers
Alaska Society of Professional Land Surveyors
Delta Tau Delta Fraternity
Washington State University Alumni Club