Public Information - Press Release

Release Date: Immediate
Contact: (PIO) Alan Trudell (714-663-6503)

Hilton D. Bell, First GGUSD Superintendent, Dies at 93

Bell served as superintendent of the fledgling Garden Grove Unified District from 1965 to 1968. He was named to the top administrative post after accepting responsibilities in 1964 as head of the Garden Grove Union High School District, one of three predecessor districts that merged the following year to form the GGUSD. Bell Intermediate School was dedicated in his honor when opened in 1968.

Bell devoted his adult life to education and community service. Before coming to Garden Grove, he served as superintendent of the school systems in Azuza, Visalia, and Tulare. He began his career in 1931 as a teacher and coach in Exeter.
Born in Colorado, Bell attended school in Tulare. He graduated from the University of Redlands in 1931. There, he was student body president and earned nine varsity letters in three sports. He was named an All-American football team honorable mention selection in 1930.

After leaving his position with the GGUSD, Bell taught at Chapman University, then Chapman College, from 1968 to 1974. He also served as the Dean of the school’s World Campus Afloat program for five semesters at sea.
Bell was active in many church, professional, and civic organizations. He was a past-president of the Association of California School Administrators, and he served as a consultant to the organization for 10 years.

Bell’s wife Helen died in March. Their son Knox, daughter Syndey, and their respective families survive the couple. In memory of his father, Knox Bell donated $2,000 to Bell Intermediate School for library book purchases.

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