PC, QC, LSM, BA, LLD

Richard Albert Bell expressed his love and talent for politics in a career that spanned some four decades, beginning with his work for the Conservative party in the 1930s and highlighted by his election as MP for Carleton in 1957, 1958, 1962, and 1965, and his appointment to the Privy Council as Minister of Citizenship and Immigration in 1962. First called to the Bar in 1938, he served his chosen profession as a Bencher with the Law Society of Upper Canada from 1956 to 1961 and as a member of the Ontario Law Reform Commission for more than 20 years. The Law Society of Upper Canada awarded him posthumously its first Distinguished Service Medal. Dick Bell was awarded the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, by Carleton University in 1984. In recognition of contributions to the City of Nepean, he was awarded posthumously a Nepean 2000 Millennium Medal.

Ruth and Dick Bell were the first husband and wife to be awarded honorary degrees together by Carleton University, and jointly delivered the convocation address in 1984.