Former Indiana University Long Jump Champion Dr. Greg Bell Passed Away at 92

January 29, 2026

This article was last updated by Sangita Budhathoki on January 29, 2026

Dr. Gregory C. Bell, a champion athlete and renowned dentist, died peacefully on January 25, 2026, at his home in Logansport, Indiana, at the age of 94 years.

An Olympic legend in track and field, Dr. Bell won the gold medal in the long jump during the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia, where he set a record in the long jump with 25 feet 8¼ inches.

Born on November 7, 1930, in Terre Haute, Indiana, Dr. Bell was the tenth of ten siblings in his family.

His childhood was not at all easy, having lived in a chicken house for twelve continuous years after the loss of their home in a fire.

Despite these challenges, he was an excellent academic and athletic achiever.

Dr. Greg Bell in 1948 high school state meet

He went to Pimento School and finished high school 1948 at Garfield High School.

After high school, he was drafted into the .

Following his honorable discharge in 1952, he began working in a local manufacturing plant until attending college.

Dr. Bell went to Indiana University, where he became the undefeated long jumper of his time, and graduated with a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1954.

From 1956 to 1958, Greg Bell Held The Prestigious Title Of The World’s Top-Ranked Long Jumper!

He won three NCAA championships; likewise, three times, from 1955 through 1957, he took the title of AAU.

His record of 26 feet 7 inches in 1957 on the collegiate level outstood for seven years and came within only an inch from Jesse Owens’ world record.

Dr.Greg Bell won the gold medal in the long jump at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia

Besides the Olympic gold medal, Dr. Bell was rated as the world’s number one long jumper for three straight years, from 1956 to 1958, and pulled off a record of thirteen jumps over 26 feet, which had never been paralleled.

He won awards like the Most Outstanding Athlete at Penn Relays in 1957.

Following an outstanding athletic career, Dr. Bell has pursued more than five decades in dentistry until his May 2026 retirement as Director of Dentistry at Logansport State Hospital.

He balanced his professional duty with part-time private practice, accommodating many patients with evening appointments.

Dr. Bell married, by then, to the former Clara Stewart, a nurse, and had an infant daughter and divorced in 1987.

After three years, he again married Mary Lawrie on December 26, 1990.

He had three children of his own: daughters Valinda Jones and Shari Weaver and son Gregory Kent, and four step-children.

Dr. Bell established his love for poetry through his frequent motivational speeches to diverse audiences, where he shared his Olympic experiences and encouraged young people.

Dr. Bell’s legacy grew beyond just athletics: he was inducted into multiple halls of fame, Indiana University Hall of Fame and the USATF Hall of Fame in 1988.

Greg Bell’s Death Is A Tragic Loss To His Fans And Loved Ones!

His impacts on both sport and community service cannot be denied.

Into his later years, Dr. Bell remained active within the community, showing his Olympic gold medal to people who had never seen one, showcasing his humility and commitment to inspiring others.

Welcome back Dr. Greg Bell – IU’s first Black Gold medalist + first individual event Gold medalist. 🥇

— IU Track & Field (@IndianaXCTF)

The loss of Dr. Bell is profound not only to the family but also to the track and field and all those touched by his life story.

He listened to his loved ones serenade him with “” in his last moments, remembering a life filled with love and thanksgiving.

At his request, there will be no visitation or formal funeral service; instead, Dr. Bell preferred to be remembered as a champion on and off the field, touching many lives through accomplishment and character.

In Case You Didn’t Know

Dr. Greg was the son of Curtis Bell and Essa Manual Bell.
Bell published six books during his lifetime, including his autobiography, “The Longest Leap.”

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