R.M. “BUD” BELL
1943-2016
Roderick Melvin (Bud) Bell passed away on the evening of May 21, 2016 after a long, courageous struggle with cancer. A memorial service celebrating the life of Bud Bell will be held at 12:30PM on Saturday, May 28th at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home 13001 Katy Freeway West Houston. Reception to follow.
Survived by wife, Jean; son Ryan & wife Katie and grandchildren Evan, Lauren, and Violet of Sandy Springs, GA; and son Dean & wife Peggy and grandchildren Madison and Allison of Paris, France; brother Jim & wife Sharon of Abbotsford, BC, Canada and their children Ken, Suzanne and Verona. Pre-deceased by parents Melvin & Marion Bell, and in-laws, Bill and Edith Korb.
Roderick Melvin Bell was born to Francis James Melvin Bell and Marion Isobel Bell in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada on February 25, 1943. He grew up in Wolseley, Saskatchewan, where he became a Queens Scout. Bud was very proud of his rural Western Canadian heritage. During his mid-teens, Bud’s family moved to Saskatoon where he graduated from high school. He went on to receive a BSc, in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan where he met his future wife, friend and lover, Jean. He was the first in his family to obtain a university degree, which was a source of great pride for his father.
Upon graduation in 1964, Bud worked for Algoma Steel and then, Northern Plywood. In 1966, he took a position with Schlumberger. Over the years, he was involved with various management positions in Schlumberger North America and in 1985, he was made President of Schlumberger of Canada Ltd and Vice President and General Manager of the Canada Alaska Business Unit (CAU). In 1992, he moved back to Houston as Vice President Industry Affairs, Wireline North America. He worked for Schlumberger for 34 years, moving with his family across 15 cities in Canada and the United States, until his retirement in Houston, TX in 1999.
In 1964, Bud married Jean Marilynne Korb. They travelled extensively and lived happily together for 52 years including renewing their vows on a Rhein-Danube River Cruise in 2014. Family was important to Bud, particularly after he and Jean retired. While he loved his sons very much, he especially loved his “grandtykes” and learned to appreciate them more when he had more nonworking time.
Bud was an enthusiastic sportsman and traveler, enjoying golf, fishing, and hunting throughout Canada and the U.S. He also hunted and/ or fished in Africa, Australia, Mexico, and South America. He and Jean traveled through Africa, Australia, the Caribbean, and much of Europe. He derived a lot of pleasure from his long time association with his golf buddies.
Bud was a member of and served in executive positions on several industry organizations and charities, including: Houston Junior Achievement , Scholarship Committee for Society of Petroleum Engineers, President of the Petroleum Services Association of Canada (PSAC) and the Association of Retired Executives. He also served as Vice-President of the Board of Directors, Woodlake Forrest II HOA. He was involved in the following organizations: Alberta Professional Engineers/Geologists Association (APEGA); Canadian Oilwell Drilling Contractors (CAODC); Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE); Association of Geologists and Geophysicists of America (AGGA); International Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors (IAODC); Calgary and Houston Petroleum Clubs and the Canadian Well Logging Society (CWLS). He was proud of his lifetime memberships in the National Rifle Association (NRA), and the Safari Club International (SCI) of Dallas and Houston.
The family requests donations in lieu of flowers be made in his name to a charity of choice.