'A force in the legislature': Former Volusia lawmaker, lobbyist Sam Bell dies

Sam Bell, a former powerful member of the Florida House from Volusia County with a long record of legislation aimed at improving education and the lives of children, has died, according to an announcement from the office of his stepdaughter, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor.

“With heavy hearts, we are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Sam Bell, husband of Betty Castor and stepfather of Congresswoman Kathy Castor, last night after an unexpected health complication,” said a statement posted on Rep. Castor’s website Wednesday.

Bell was 83.

A Democrat, Bell represented Volusia in the House from 1974 to 1988 and held high-ranking positions such as appropriations chairman. He was in line to become House speaker in 1988 but lost a re-election bid in his district. Later in his career, he worked as a lobbyist in Tallahassee for the issues that also were the focus of his long career as a lawmaker.

He was married for 34 years to Betty Castor, a former state education commissioner and president of the University of South Florida.

“He was a force in the legislature,” said his son, Douglas Bell, who also works as a lawyer and lobbyist in Tallahassee. “He held every important chairmanship there was. He was appropriations chairman twice in a row — for four years. He passed some very meaningful legislation for children.”

Accomplishments that Bell was most proud of, according to his son, included passing the state’s first requirement that children in vehicles be placed in car seats or child restraints. He also was instrumental in creating the state’s regional perinatal program, infant metabolic screening and school health services.

"The list goes on and on of the things that Sam did for children,” his son said.

Bell also was a founder of the University of South Florida College of Public Health and considered the “father” of the institution, which he remained involved with through the rest of his life, his son said.

J. Hyatt Brown: Bell wielded facts to change minds

Born in West Virginia, Bell was the son of a schoolteacher and Methodist minister. He moved with his family to Fort Lauderdale in junior high, where he graduated from Fort Lauderdale High School. He went on to graduate with an undergraduate degree from Duke University and a law degree from Dartmouth College, his son said.

After college, he went to work at the Cobb Cole law firm in Daytona Beach. In Volusia County, he became a professional colleague and friend of J. Hyatt Brown, now chairman of Daytona Beach-based global insurance brokerage Brown & Brown.

In the 1970s, the two men also worked side-by-side in the legislature, Brown said. In the 1980s, Bell served as a board member at Brown & Brown, a role that he would hold for 40 years, Brown said.

“Sam was a very hard worker,” Brown said, “very bright, very thoughtful in his decision-making process.”

In the legislature, Bell also had a gift for presenting his views in a way that could change the minds of those with opposing opinions, Brown said.

“He had a very nice way about getting people to do something they didn’t necessarily want to do,” Brown said. “Part of it was fact he was able to discuss issues in a way that made them more palatable and the other part was that he was just forceful. When he was making a point, he always talked about facts, and he would always present them very forcefully.”

Outside of politics, a caring family member

Outside of the professional realm, Bell was a caring family member, who also was quick with a joke, his son said.

“He taught me my work ethic,” said Douglas Bell, who worked together in a law firm with his father for the last 18 years of his career. “He taught me how to be a gentleman and do the right thing.

“He was a tough as nails politician, but he was immensely compassionate and he had the most wonderful laugh,” he said. “He had an amazing wry sense of humor, just so witty and dry.”

Bell hadn’t been suffering from any of health problems, so his death has been a particular shock to the family, his son said.

In addition to his wife, son and stepdaughter, Bell also is survived by sons Sam Bell IV and David Bell; stepdaughter Karen Castor; stepson Frank Castor; and 10 grandchildren. A celebration of life will be announced at a later date, according to the family.

Wire services were used to compile this report.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Sam Bell, husband of Betty Castor, former Florida ed commissioner, dies