- Born on: September 21, 1924
- Departed on: September 28, 2021
- Resided in: Edgewood, IA
Robert Henry Bassett
My sincere condolences to the Bassett family. I have many memories of Mr Bassett in high school and my friendships with Sandy and Ray. You are in my thoughts and prayers at this time.
I have to smile whenever I think of Robert, (dad and father to my CHS classmate, Sandi), and the interchanges that I have had with him, (and his family), throughout my lifetime. If memory serves me correctly, of course I knew Sandi from school, but I probably first learned of the entire Bassett clan at church. (However, I am fuzzy about that latter point at present age). My first real interaction with Robert, professionally, was as our English Literature teacher at CHS. I remember that he was a big, strong man that looked very much more a farmer than an English Literature teacher. (Luckily for us, it turns out; he was both..!) But for some reason - in my youth - I found that terribly disconcerting although I knew not why back then. I also remember, too, that he had those big, strong hands, which didn’t seem to jive with his chosen profession. (But I later realized that this was because they made books look really, really small in them..!) Anyway, that was my first personal and professional impressions of him. It was but the first of many encounters that I would have with him though out my life. Yes, physically, he was an intimidating man. But in reality, he was a very gentle, kind, non-threatening soul and I eventually came to know that about him. He loved what he was doing even if some of us, (his students), often didn’t have a clue of what he was trying to do for us. None-the-less, he always stood ready to rectify that situation if we but gave him the chance. I came very much to enjoy Robert for his part in my life and for the man that he was instead of the man I originally thought him to be. RIP, Robert. I hope you knew that you were loved and respected by a lot more people than you may have ever known. Your personality touched many of us right where it counts the most. In our hearts. Mission on earth accomplished, Sir. Mission accomplished.
My heart goes out to your family. May God Bless Bob's soul and for your family. He brought so much to his students and Bonnie your cooking was awesome. God Bless you all.
