In January 2015, aged 31, Neil fell to his death on Joffre Peak, near Pemberton, British Columbia, Canada with his two friends Stephanie Grothe and Elena Cernicka.  All three were competent and experienced climbers.  He loved the mountains and climbing.  He was a winter sports enthusiast with a spirit of adventure. Whilst he loved a challenge he also spent much time encouraging and instructing others with less experience than himself.  Many people were led by Neil on their first outdoor climbs.

Neil (Bell, to many of his friends) was also an accomplished scientist with many published papers in his field, and his mentoring skills have been recognised by the Centre for Blood Research at the University of British Columbia, where he worked, with an annual mentorship award. The Bone Research Society has also paid tribute to him with an annual Neil Mackenzie Public Engagement Award. This bursary funds a PhD student/postdoc. to lead an interactive session on their research with school students.

First and foremost Neil was a Scotsman.  Born and brought up in the Highlands he never forgot his roots, and took every opportunity to tell his friends and acquaintances, wherever in the world he was, about his native Scotland.

The Neil Mackenzie Trust has been set up to keep his adventurous spirit alive in others, to help them to pursue adventure and acquire the skills required to adventure as safely as possible.