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The Life of Hugh W Bellas

Hugh Bellas, 95,
passed away at Foxwood Springs Living Center, near his home in Raymore, Mo. on March 15, 2008.

Hugh was born in 1912 in Philadelphia, Pa., where he lived most of his life. He, his wife, Mary Bellas, and daughter, Betsy Bellas Stewart, lived in the Wallingford/Rose Valley suburb for over 30 years.Hugh and Mary then moved to Kansas City in 1986. Mary pre- deceased Hugh in 1999, and Hugh married Helen Ewens Bellas in 2002.

Hugh Bellas was both a scientist and religious thinker who devoted most of his energy to both pursuits. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a BS in Chemical Engineering, Hugh started with DuPont in 1933 where he worked for 44 years. He was privileged to be part of the Manhattan Project at the Univ. of Chicago in 1942 where he learned the power of uranium. Transferred to headquarters in Wilmington, Del., he became a nuclear engineer and was also supervisor for the Savannah River Plant (Augusta, Ga.). Hugh developed a non-toxic form of DDT, helped develop a plastic explosive (RDX) and designed a safer compounding of TNT.

He strongly believed in the power of nuclear energy as a safe resource for the future. Hugh's beloved ministry, the Brotherhood of St. Andrew (men's fellowship of the Episcopal Church) was a primary focus and he served as national president from 1971-77. He remained a member of St. Peter's parish in Red Bridge, Mo., until his death.

In his free time, he loved classical music, golf and sailing the Chesapeake Bay. Hugh lived a life of duty and service to his faith, and generosity and responsibility to his family. He is survived by his second wife, Helen Bellas; his daughter, Betsy Stewart and husband Harry; his sister, Connie Snyder and husband Bill; two grandchildren, Erin Sears Blodgett and Kathryn Sears; a great granddaughter Alex Rose; as well as two nephews, a niece, and several great nephews and a great niece.

Memorial services will be held at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 100 East Red Bridge Rd., Kansas City, Mo., at 2 p.m. on March 20, and in Bromwell Lounge at Foxwood Springs Living Center 11:30 a.m. March 29.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to Hugh's beloved organization, the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, PO Box 632, Ambridge, PA 15003, or at their website at www.brotherhoodstandrew.org.

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