Herbert Bissell

Bissell, Herbert Deming Pure gift - to family, friends and to this city Herbert D. Bissell, known to everyone as Herb, lived a remarkable life of 100 years. He died peacefully at home surrounded by his family. Herb centered his life in his family, made friends wherever he went and consistently served others before himself. His was a life of relationships. He is survived by Marjorie Wood, his wife of seven years, and his partner in a life filled with family, friends and fun, and by Marge's son, Bob Wood of Seattle, WA and her daughter, Shelley Smyth of Boulder, CO. Herbert D. Bissell was born in Pittsburgh, PA on June 29, 1907, the son of Margaret Haddock and Robert Delos Bissell. He married Rachel Collins Pfeiffer in Philadelphia, PA on September 22, 1931; she died on August 17, 1977. He is also survived by daughter, Carol Bissell Truesdell; husband, Lynn; granddaughters: Sarah Truesdell, Elizabeth Smith and Margaret Hall and nine great-grandchildren; and daughter, Joan Bissell Hyde; husband, Maclay; grandchildren: Paul Hyde, Kate Hyde Bartel and David Hyde; and three great-grandchildren. Herb married Gertrude McNeil in Minneapolis on February 26, 1978; she died on April 10, 1997, and is survived by her sons, Don McNeil of Minneapolis and Douglas McNeil of Superstition Mountain, AZ. Herb was preceded in death by his half sister, Margaret Cummings of Carlsbad, CA, and survived by nieces, Barbara Leary of Carlsbad, CA and Carol Cummings of Arlington, MA. He graduated June 1929 from Dartmouth College and Amos Tuck School of Business, Hanover, NH. Herb was employed from July 1929 through June 1940 by the N.W. Ayer Advertising Agency in Philadelphia, PA and Detroit, MI, as a Junior Account Executive, assigned to the Ford Motor Company Account. He served as Advertising Manager for The Electric Auto-Lite Company in Toledo, OH, 1940-1950, and was involved in network broadcasting and the early days of television. Herb joined the Minneapolis-Honeywell Regulator Company in January 1950 as Director of Merchandising; was promoted to corporate Vice President in 1959; was appointed Vice President, Corporate Marketing, Honeywell, Inc. in 1962, and retired in 1972. In 1973 he wrote a book entitled "Big Business - Your Life Within It". Consistent with Herb's ongoing interest in helping others advance their careers, he shared his own experiences in corporate life, articulating his mistakes, what he learned, and tips on how to succeed while holding fast to your personal values. Of historic significance were his comments on the introduction of women into corporate leadership and the importance of corporate social responsibility. He served on a number of corporate boards including the Minneapolis Gas Company, Gelco Corporation, St. Paul Securities and Ault Inc. Influenced by the events that shaped his life, both personal and societal, Herb was known for his quiet generosity, and consistent caring for others. He made an extraordinary lifelong commitment to community service as a dedicated volunteer with many organizations in the metro- politan area: General Chairman, Minneapolis Community Chest/ United Way (1957 Campaign), receiving the Community Chest/ United Way Distinguished Service Award; President, Community Health & Welfare Council; President and Honorary Director, Minneapolis YMCA; member for 25 years on Abbott Northwestern Hospital Board of Directors; and on boards of Minneapolis Children's Hospital, Minnesota Orchestra, Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce, United Theological Seminary, Presbyterian Homes of Minnesota, Walker Methodist Health Services, Jones Harrison Home Advisory Board, Minneapolis Age and Opportunity Center, Honeywell Retiree Volunteer Program, Minneapolis Crisis Nursery, Episcopal Community Services and Search Institute. When he was in his middle 90's, he volunteered at the Groveland Emergency Food Shelf and for Meals on Wheels. Over the course of his life Herb held significant leadership positions in three urban churches: Tioga Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, PA; Collingwood Presbyterian Church in Toledo, Ohio; and Westminster Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis where he served as Elder, Trustee and Chair of a Search Committee for a Senior Pastor and as Chair of Westminster's 125th Anniversary celebration. He also was a member of Rotary Club of Minneapolis, Woman's Club of Minneapolis (first male member), Lafayette Club, Minikahda Club and Minneapolis Club. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Nicollet Mall at 12th Street, Minneapolis, at 2 PM in the sanctuary. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Westminster Presbyterian Church or to Abbott Northwestern Hospital. Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel 952-920-3996

Herbert Bissell

July 8, 2007

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