Arkansas construction icon Bob Shell dies at 88

Bob Shell, former Baldwin & Shell President and current Chairman Emeritus, passed away at age 88 after a battle with cancer. The company that bears his name disclosed his death on Wednesday (Aug. 7).

Shell joined The Baldwin Company in 1950 in a position scheduled to last nine months. He ended up staying 70 years.

He started in the field as a payroll clerk and worked his way up through the company, eventually becoming company President, Chairman and Chairman Emeritus. Shell was named the President and Chief Executive Officer in 1983 at which time the company name changed to Baldwin & Shell. Under Shell’s leadership, the firm’s sales volume went from $19 million in 1984 to over $211 million in 2010. He retired in 2017, but still walked the Baldwin & Shell halls on a regular basis, the company said.

“Through his years of faithful service, Bob established a foundation and code of ethics that we still embrace today,” said President and CEO Scott Copas.

A visitation service will be held Thursday, August 8 from 5–7 p.m. at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home in Little Rock. Services will be 3:30 p.m. on Friday at Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock with a reception afterwards.

Over the years, Shell was honored for his professional achievements and contributions to the community. He is one of five charter members of the Arkansas Construction Hall of Fame; a former president of Arkansas Associated General Contractors of America; and a national lifetime director of Associated General Contractors of America.

He received the Blind Vision Award from World Services of the Blind, the Jerry Davis Memorial Award from the American Heart Association, and the Alzheimer Arkansas Advocate of the Year. Most recently, Bob and his wife, Ginny, were named the 2018 National Philanthropy Day “Outstanding Philanthropists” for their work in the community by the Arkansas Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Shell previously served as a board member for Baptist Health Foundation, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Alzheimer’s Arkansas, Associated General Contractors of America, Arkansas Associated General Contractors, President’s Advisory Council for Arkansas State University, Advisory Board of Centennial Bank, and Fifty for the Future.