Kenneth John Bell, age 93, of Stillwater, passed peacefully on Monday, April 17, 2023 at home surrounded by family. A private family burial will be in the Fairlawn Cemetery in Stillwater. Strode Funeral Home and Cremation is in charge of the arrangements.
Ken was born to Harold Henry and Alma Wilma (Southwick) Bell in Cleveland, Ohio on March 1, 1930. He graduated from Lakewood High School (Ohio), earned his B.S. in Chemical Engineering at Case Institute of Technology (1951), M.Ch.E (1953) and PhD.Ch.E (1955) from University of Delaware.
Ken married Karen Yvonne (McLemore) Bell on June 23, 1956 in Lakewood, Ohio. Ken had a long, successful career as a Chemical Engineer, primarily as a professor at Oklahoma State beginning in 1961, retiring in 1994 as Emeritus Regents Professor of Chemical Engineering. In "retirement", he continued to teach and consult for many years. He was an internationally recognized expert in the field of process heat transfer, earning many awards and honors, including the 1978 Donald Q. Kern award and the 2003 Max Jakob award.
Ken was also an avid stamp collector, mineral collector and reader.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and sister Marilynn.
He is survived by his three daughters Lorna, Tami and partner Michelle, and Ellen and husband Pete; his son Craig and wife Lesley; three grandchildren Morgan, Blake and husband Jeff, and Bryce.
The family requests memorial contributions be made in his name to Karman Legacy Hospice Fund, P.O. Box 2408, Stillwater, OK 74076.
The family wishes to express heartfelt thanks to Charlotte Zwiebel, the staff at Legacy Village of Stillwater and Karman Legacy Hospice.