Monday morning, I was talking to another newspaper person on the phone concerning the loss of Dr. Henry King Stanford, when we were discussing the health of Griffin Bell.

As we were talking on the phone, I happened to go to a different newspaper’s website, and there under late breaking news was the announcement of Bell’s death.

We were both silent as we allowed the news of the former U.S. Attorney General’s death sink in. Though it was expected, due to Bell’s ill health, the loss of such a man is worth more than a moment of silence.

I sat and read the zillions of reports about Judge Bell, his accomplishments through the years, his honors, awards and the offices he held.

I listened as different people, local and not, talked about Judge Bell and how he influenced their lives.

David Hudson, chief counsel for the Georgia Press Association, as well as possible, one of Bell’s many protégés, said it best, “We lost a giant.”

Through my short time here at the Times-Recorder, I had not had the pleasure of interviewing Judge Bell, though I had attended a few functions where he was either being honored or honoring someone. In fact, once, he passed by me (and several others) in his wheelchair, and extended his hand. The handshake I received was not one that I have come to expect from anyone of Judge Bell’s reported declining health and age.

His handshake was firm, strong and full of confidence, even though it was obvious that his age and failing health were taking over his body, and that twinkle in his eye was very evident, and the smile magnetic.

I have been told that when a person shakes your hand firmly it means that person is someone who is glad to meet you, someone who wants to get to know you, wants to be your friend, etc.

And, when a person shakes your hand limply, you know, only grabbing part of it instead of the whole hand, and not gripping it hard, he says that person is not comfortable with you, does not trust you, and does not want to get to know you, and only shakes hands because they have to.

Not so in the case of Judge Bell.

South Georgia Technical College President Sparky Reeves and I both agreed that it seemed like Bell was strong as ever, even during his last days. In fact, Reeves said, “he was very steady and grounded.”

In a statement released by the Georgia Southwestern State University Public Relations Department, I found that not only did Bell graduate from GSW, he was a continued supporter of his alma mater. In 2008, Bell helped raise nearly $500,000 for GSW at a university golf course naming ceremony in his honor.

I remember attending that event. Judge Bell was sitting in his wheelchair on the stage, next to GSW’s President, Kenneth Blanchard. As different ones made presentations regarding Judge Bell, you could see Bell squirming a little bit.

At first, I wasn’t sure why — maybe Judge Bell was tired of sitting still so long?