By Town Crier Staff

Richard G. Bell, a prominent Los Altos attorney whose community involvement included a stint on the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District board, was killed Friday after falling into a small waterfall while hiking in Hawaii. He was 56.

Mr. Bell and his son, Stephen, were crossing the waterfall on the island of Kauai when both were swept up in a sudden, strong torrent of water. Mr. Bell died before he could be pulled from the water.

Mr. Bell, a native of Billings, Montana, graduated from Stanford University before receiving his doctorate from Hastings College of Law.

His distinguished legal career was marked by his commitment to pro bono work, including Christ Episcopal Church in Los Altos where he was an active member.

He coached his sons’ soccer and baseball teams for many years. He served two terms as a member of the Mountain View-Los Altos High School District Board of Trustees.

“He would give anything to anybody that he could,” said Linda, his wife of 25 years. “He treated the boys’ friends like they were adopted sons. He was very generous, very loving. He really cared about the people he worked for.”

“He was my rock,” said son Geoffrey. “I could talk to him about anything. He coached every AYSO soccer team I played on. And he loved the community. As full as his plate was, it was never full enough.”

He is survived by his sons Stephen and Geoffrey and their mother Linda; his sister Mary Clark and nephew Richard Belloli of Valencia.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m., Dec. 17, at Christ Episcopal Church, 1040 Border Road, Los Altos.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to The Richard G. Bell Memorial Scholarship Fund care of Bank of Los Altos, 369 S. San Antonio Road, Los Altos 94022.