Alex was my unofficial mentor in the Social Studies Department during my first couple of years teaching at Kecoughtan. He was just a wonderful human being filled with good judgment and kindness. He was retired Navy, born and raised in Pittsburg, PA. His ways were gentle, thoughtful. He loved a good meal and companionship. With our young, heavily male faculty, he was our wiser, older guide.
On the day of his death, Teacher Day, June 1967, he did not show up for school. On that day, only faculty and staff were present working on grades and final reports. About 10 AM, Arlen Hensley, biology teacher, appeared in my room worried about Alex. I remember him saying that with the best food of the year being prepared in the school caferteria there was no way Alex would miss school unless he was sick. So, we went to where he lived, knocked on the door, without response. We found the manager of the complex and we entered Alex's apartment together. Sadly, he had died in the night. His room was in perfect shape. It was one of Hampton's notorious, hot muggy nights. He was covered by a sheet with a small fan on the floor. His grade sheets and book plus last set of graded papers were neatly finished and placed on a table by his bed. A sad, sad day for all of us who loved him. He is still with me, I think of him often.
Thanks for spotting my incorrect date for the year of Alex's death. I am looking at his death certificate. He was born in Pittsburg, PA 2 May 1908, died 11 June 1964. lived at 406 S. Armstead St, Apt. 1, Hampton,Va. June 11 was Teacher Work Day after school ended the day before. Take care. Earl Bell.
Earl P. Bell, Jr.
Alex was my unofficial mentor in the Social Studies Department during my first couple of years teaching at Kecoughtan. He was just a wonderful human being filled with good judgment and kindness. He was retired Navy, born and raised in Pittsburg, PA. His ways were gentle, thoughtful. He loved a good meal and companionship. With our young, heavily male faculty, he was our wiser, older guide.
On the day of his death, Teacher Day, June 1967, he did not show up for school. On that day, only faculty and staff were present working on grades and final reports. About 10 AM, Arlen Hensley, biology teacher, appeared in my room worried about Alex. I remember him saying that with the best food of the year being prepared in the school caferteria there was no way Alex would miss school unless he was sick. So, we went to where he lived, knocked on the door, without response. We found the manager of the complex and we entered Alex's apartment together. Sadly, he had died in the night. His room was in perfect shape. It was one of Hampton's notorious, hot muggy nights. He was covered by a sheet with a small fan on the floor. His grade sheets and book plus last set of graded papers were neatly finished and placed on a table by his bed. A sad, sad day for all of us who loved him. He is still with me, I think of him often.
Earl Bell
Susan Carol Paitsel (Hoffman) (1966)
Passed days after 1963 school year endedEarl P. Bell, Jr.
Thanks for spotting my incorrect date for the year of Alex's death. I am looking at his death certificate. He was born in Pittsburg, PA 2 May 1908, died 11 June 1964. lived at 406 S. Armstead St, Apt. 1, Hampton,Va. June 11 was Teacher Work Day after school ended the day before. Take care. Earl Bell.