Hugh Saul Bell

Albuquerque native, Hugh Bell passed away peacefully at home September 19, 2021. Born in 1942, the third of Olive and Saul Bell's nine children, he is survived by his wife Margaret; sons Oliver (Rachel) and Adrian; grandchildren Elise and Ronan; siblings: Eddie (Pam), Neil, Alan (Audrey), Martin (Paula), Molly (Charles), and Bruce (Darcel); and numerous nieces and nephews.

Hugh's childhood memories included hopping the backyard fence to attend Eugene Field Elementary, climbing the hill to Lincoln Junior High, and reading under the covers after "lights-out" in the boy's basement dormitory which his father constructed as the family grew. His love of jazz was fostered by listening to John Lewis of the Modern Jazz Quartet practice piano at John's grandmother's, next door to the Bell family home on Walter Street SE.

After high school, Hugh briefly traveled the state selling flour to grocers. In 1961 he joined the US Air Force as a photographer until called home to help with the family business, Rio Grande Wholesale Jewelers, when his father became ill. Upon Saul's recovery, Hugh pursued his dream of acting in New York City, studying at Herbert Berghof Studio, and doing summer stock in upstate New York. After one season as a starving actor, he returned to Rio Grande where he devoted himself to growing the business. Kind, caring, compassionate, he would walk through the company with a smile, engaging associates with a pat on the shoulder, a word of encouragement or a bit of humor. As president for 46 years Hugh developed a win-win workplace culture by incorporating cutting edge management techniques and mentored many. He retired in 2012.

In April 1967 at an artists' gallery opening, he met Margaret Holte. They married that December. Together they enjoyed tennis and cycling, and danced many a Country-Western two-step, waltz, and swing. Savoring red wine, Hugh delighted in sharing how important the shape of the glass is to the taste of the varietal. In retirement he had an unbridled passion for solving Sudoku puzzles, and enjoyed telling corny jokes to make others smile, lunching with his "surrogate daughters," and sending "Grandpa's Joke of the Week" to his grandchildren in Canada.

Hugh was a member of Kiwanis, Elks Lodge 461, and the New Mexico Council on Crime and Delinquency, and served on the board of trustees at Sandia Prep. He championed freedom and fiscal responsibility and lived by principles of honesty, positivity, humility, dignity, and self-accountability.

A celebration of Hugh's life will be held at a future date. Memorials may be made to New Mexico Boys and Girls Ranch, PO Box 9, Belen NM 87002 or Cato Institute, PO Box 97128, Washington DC 20077.