Bruce H. Bell passed away Feb. 26, 2026 at 10:20 a.m. He was  90 years old.

Shortly after his honorable discharge from the Navy, Bruce left his native Los Angeles for the Santa Barbara South Coast. He, with his wife and two children, arrived on July 4, 1962.

Bruce was anchored. He, like thousands of others, truly loved the South Coast. In fact, he seldom left.  He was a staycation guy.

Bruce made his living in a number of ways — salesman, mostly cars; bartender; MTD bus driver (not at the same time); and city of Santa Barbara Parking kioskiteer, you may have seen him in the Train Station. He was there three, four or five days a week for nearly 13 years. Bruce retired at age 76.

He was a longtime volunteer for the American Heart Association and the Santa Barbara Airport Visitor Center.

His hobbies were small-craft sailing, bowling, and par 3 pitch and putt golf. Bruce was a league bowler for 50 years. He never achieved that perfect 300 game, but he bowled in tournaments from San Diego to Las Vegas and Reno, won a couple and cashed in many others.

He leaves his best friend and loving wife Christine, they were married for 50 years. Bruce also leaves three children, daughters Pamela Lynn Fordyce of Bay Village, Ohio, and Tracy Bell McMahon of Avon Lake, Ohio. Bruce’s son Chipper “Bro” Bell lives in Ventura, California. Bruce had 11 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

There are few instructions on how to die — my predominate feeling is one of gratitude, thanks to having lived a long and happy life on this beautiful planet. I loved and was loved in return, also, I never missed a meal.

I trust I left on time.

Complications from a long and hardy life took him out. Bruce’s last words were: “I knew this would happen if I hung around long enough!”

Bruce donated his remains to the UCLA research Medical Center, better than just being thrown away.

Services, if any, will be private.