White River Jct., VT – Seth Andrew Bell, 29, died Saturday December 5 ^th following a sudden and unexpected illness while serving with the Department of Defense at the US Army Garrison Bavaria in Vilseck, Germany. His loving wife was there with him until the end; he was not alone. Seth will arrive to the Upper Valley via police escort on Monday, December 21 ^st .

Seth was born October 19 ^th , 1991 in Lebanon, NH, son of Chad and Karol (Johnson) Bell. While attending Hartford High School, Seth was an exceptional athlete and exceptional friend. Seth's high school football efforts and teamwork helped win State Championships and brought him to the Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl in 2010 representing Hartford. Many young athletes looked up to Seth as a mentor who displayed hard work and humility on and off the field. His brotherhood with the Hartford football team helped mold him into the man he was. Seth will be remembered as an avid hunter and fisherman and maintained that interest no matter where he lived in the world. His love and interest of hunting was largely due to family and friends on Jericho Street in White River Jct., as well as the Rod and Gun Club in Hartford. Seth was a lifelong member of the NRA. Seth made it home for the funeral of Harold Bell during the 2020 Thanksgiving holiday season and spent his days hunting with his father, Chad.

Seth married Emily Bell (Beneze) in July, 2013 on his family's property upon completing basic training and AIT at Fort Leonardwood, MO with the 795 ^th Military Police Company. Seth was then assigned to Fort Riley, Kansas with the 287 ^th Military Police Company as a patrolman and ultimately a team leader. Seth spent his time there, not only in military service, but made friends from all over the country and enjoyed his days hiking, swimming and hunting. In 2016 Seth was assigned to the Directorate of Emergency Services (DES) at US Army Garrison Bavaria, Rose Barracks, Germany where he served as a Traffic Management and Collision Investigator. He performed his duties, while helping any one that needed it, until his honorable discharge in 2019. Seth and Emily decided to continue their lives with USAG Bavaria and remain in Germany as a civilian family, making sure to travel and see the world as much as possible while building their professional careers. Post military service, by high request, Seth worked as a Department of the Army Civilian Police Office (DACP) in Germany serving as a Desk Sergeant. His military awards include the Army Commendation Medal (1 ^st OLC), the Army Achievement Medal (2 ^nd OLC), the Good Conduct Medal (2 ^nd Award), the Drivers and Mechanics Badge and multiple shooting awards.

Seths USAG Bavaria funeral service was broadcast live on Facebook from Netzaberg Chapel where several of his colleagues shared stories, wonderful memories and told of his gift to interact with others. His calm demeanor in the face of adversity highlighted his love of life and his effort to make sure everyone around him felt good. Two speakers and colleagues recalled the memory of how Seth always ended his phone calls with a quick "Love you, Bye." During this service, Seth received his last call over radio and rendering of honors.

Seth is survived by his wife and best friend, Emily Bell; parents Chad and Karol Bell of White River Jct.; Marine Veteran and brother, Troy Bell of Denver, CO; sister Amanda Rochette and her husband Staff Sergeant Aaron Rochette of Manchester, NH; maternal grandmother Mary Johnson of White River Jct.; paternal grandmother Vernona Bell of White River Jct.; three aunts, an uncle and several  nieces, nephews and cousins. Seth also leaves behind his beloved dogs, Zeus and Scarlet. Seth was predeceased by his paternal grandfather Harold Bell in April 2020 and his maternal grandfather F. Conrad Johnson in 2003.

Seth was an eternally young soul and jokester who loved to make people laugh. On many occasions Seth can be found in the background of friends, family and stranger's photos 'photo bombing' them. When he was younger, his favorite holiday, of course, was April Fools Day. Seth consistently managed to put family and friends at ease and made any intolerable situation better. We will all miss Seth's everlasting smile and his way of lightening any room he was in. While we lost an earthly angel way too soon, we know the stars are shining a bit brighter now with Seth watching over us all.

Godspeed, 'Til Valhalla, Seth, we love you to infinity and back. Until we meet again: Love you, Bye.

Visiting hours will be Wednesday, December 23 at the Knight Funeral Home in White River Junction from 2-4pm and 6-8pm. To abide by capacity limits, guests should wait in their vehicles and funeral home staff will escort you in as space allows, in the order that you arrive. Masks are required.

Seth will be laid to rest with full military honors alongside his beloved grandfather, Harold Bell, in the Veteran's Cemetery in Randolph, VT at a later date. A celebration of his life will be held in the spring when people can gather outdoors. Contributions in Seth's memory may be made to: Upper Valley Humane Society, 300 Old Route 10, Enfield, NH 03748 or Hartford Rod & Gun Club, PO Box 316, Hartford, VT  05047.

Condolences to Seth's family may be made in an online guestbook at knightfuneralhomes.com.