Bell, Don

Biography

Donald A. Bell, who goes by Don, grew up in Delaware County, Ohio where he graduated high school in 1949. He joined the United States Air Force in January 1950 where he was transferred to Ellington Air Force Base in the spring. Don received promotions up to Staff Sergeant by January 1952. After receiving an honorable discharge in January 1954, he enrolled in Otterbein College where he received his BA with teaching credentials. He later went on to earn a master’s degree in Broadcast Education from The Ohio State University. After receiving his bachelor’s degree, Don began teaching English at the Whitehall Yearling High School in 1958 while also taking care of the audio visual department. In 1974, he formed a TV Production Course that he taught after school for 17 years. Several of Don’s students went on to prominent positions such as: chief vice president of Radio One; member of the PBS Board of Directors; and owner of an internationally known PR company. After retiring from the school system in 1991, Don became the Museum Curator for the Historical Aircraft Squadron Museum in 2000.