Dr. Robinette N. Bell, died peacefully in Daytona Beach, Florida on August 17, 2017 at the age of 87.
She is survived by her husband, M. Neil Redford, and her three children and their spouses, Suzanne Kush (Kenneth Kush), of Chicago, IL, Don Bell (Marianne Bell) of Port Orange, FL, Dana Redford (Madalena Redford) of Lisbon, Portugal and seven grandchildren.
Robinette Nixon was born on July 9, 1930 in New York City, to film publicist, Virginia Morris and travel writer, Larry Nixon. She attended Hunter High School for gifted children in New York and went on to earn a BA in Arts from Smith College. After graduation she aspired to go into journalism, and worked at LOOK Magazine. But after 5 years she decided that she wanted to go to medical school to become a psychiatrist.
While studying pre-med she met her first husband, Donald Bell and they were married in 1959. Both graduated from Columbia, College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1962 and that year they had their first child, Suzanne. In 1964, during their psychiatry residency at Columbia they had their son, Don. After graduation in 1966 Robin started Psychoanalytic School at Columbia, graduating in 1973 and developed a private practice in New York City.
In 1969 she separated from her first husband, but a few months later she met Neil Redford, who in 1971, would become her husband. In 1976, she gave birth to her third child, Dana. Dr. Bell continued to do psychoanalysis, psychotherapy and group therapy. She was also a mentor to future generations, supervised and trained medical students and residents as an Associate Professor at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, where she was also part of the Breast Cancer Service. Dr. Bell was a lifetime associate of the American Psychiatric Association, a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of All Souls and an avid international traveler.
Always young at heart and spirit, she moved to Denver at age 74, where she started a new private practice and joined the University of Colorado School of Medicine as an Associate Clinical Professor, where she mentored and counseled students.
She is remembered as a dedicated doctor, devoted teacher, generous volunteer and caring friend who had a far-reaching, positive influence on many lives. Robin was a beloved mother and grandmother, and found her true love with her husband, Neil.
A memorial service led by Senior Minister Galen Guengerich will be held at the Unitarian Church of All Souls in New York City on Sunday, September 10th at 2pm in celebration of her life.
