Rick Bell, a former HSPH student and instructor, passed away on Thursday, February 8, of cancer at the age of 48.
Bell graduated from HSPH in 1998 with an SD in Health and Social Behavior. His thesis focused on reducing pain in rheumatoid arthritis patients by eliminating foods from their diets to which they were sensitive. He received his bachelor's degree from Brandeis University and his master's degree in nutrition from New York University.
Bell was an instructor at HSPH, teaching the course, "Psychosocial Theories of Health and Health Behavior." He also taught at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University.
During his career, Bell worked at the following institutions: U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development, and Engineering Center, Thomas J. Lipton Company, Monell Chemical Senses Center, and General Mills, Inc.
He is survived by his wife, Beth Tener; sister, Carrie Jacobus; mother, Rita Bell; nieces, Belinda and Melanie Jacobus; and nephew, Michael Jacobus.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to Nottingham Fire & Rescue Association, PO Box 114, Nottingham, NH 03290, or to Slow Food USA, 20 Jay Street, #313 Brooklyn, NY 11201.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2 p.m., Deerfield Town Hall, 8 Old Center Road South, Deerfield, NH.
Copyright, 2009, President and Fellows of Harvard College
