In 1999, Benjamin Rose decided to recognize the achievements of older adults who defy the myths of aging, people who remained active, optimistic, enthusiastic, inspired, innovative, and empowered well into their “golden years.” Those attributes were all embodied in Benjamin Rose's first MythBuster, Jess A. Bell, former president and CEO of Bonne Bell, Inc.
In his 1999 interview with Benjamin Rose, Bell noted, “I wouldn't think for one second that my age… I'm 74… would prevent from doing something ‘too' strenuous. I refuse to think in terms of taking things easy.”
Jess Bell passed away September 4 2005 of complications from a heart problem.
Click here to read about Jess Bell, Myth Buster
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In 1959, Bell became president of the company founded by his father. One of his many creative product ideas, Lip Smackers, introduced in the late 1960s, went on to become the company's biggest seller.
While product innovations helped the company thrive financially, Bell 's workplace innovations helped employees thrive physically. His company began providing workout facilities in the 1970s, and employees were offered financial incentives to exercise, lose weight, and quit smoking.
His strong belief that older adults could remain productive and active led to the creation of Bonne Bell's Senior Work Program in 1997. The idea came to him when he and his wife, Julie, were helping out with a shift at the company's plant. “We realized that if we can do this, there must be other seniors out there who can do this too,” he said. The program continues to employ seniors ranging in age from 57 to 88 who work part-time in the company's manufacturing facility.
Bell himself continued to work long after many of his peers retired. “People work hard their entire lives,” Bell said in his MythBuster interview. “When it comes to retirement, they want to rest. I can understand that, but it doesn't mean inactivity.”
For Bell , “activity” extended well beyond his continued involvement with the family business. He was an avid runner, having participated in more than 36 marathons, a swimmer, tennis player, and mountain climber. At the time of his Benjamin Rose interview, he was planning mountain-climbing trips to Nepal and Tibet .
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