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- Bend Bulletin, Oregon, August 25, 2012
Richard Dick Lee Bassett (Picture included)
Richard Dick Bassett, our father, husband, and grandfather, passed away July 24, 2012. He had provided loving care to his wife of 67 years, Leoma (Lee) and had been her sole caretaker for the past ten years as she suffered from Alzheimer's disease.
Dick was born Sept. 15, 1922, in Mineola, New York. His mother died in 1929, and he was raised by his grandmother on a cattle ranch near Lake Tahoe.
Dick joined the US Army Air Corp. in August 1941. His father was chief draftsman for Douglas Aircraft Co. Because of this, Dick already had learned to fly airplanes up to and including the DC3.
He spent most of WWII flying photo reconnaissance and received many commendations for his courage. Even though he was in the Army, Admiral Halsey of the US Navy recommended him for a DFC.
After the war, he worked for the US Fish and Wildlife before returning to the USAF as a Communication Specialist. In 1965, he retired from the USAF then flew for the US Forest Service. He also served on the Redmond Airport Commission.
Dick's hobbies were hunting, fishing and flying. He owned and flew a Cessna 310 until he was 83.
Dick was preceded in death by his son, Dr. Gary Bassett, whom had six children and his two brothers, Gordon and Johnny Bassett.
Dick is survived by his wife of 67 years, Leoma (Lee); son, Glen and his wife, Sherri and their six children of Emmett, ID; daughter, Gayle Jensen and her husband, Paul Jensen and their children, Joel of Crooked River Ranch, and Joshua of Tucson, AZ, and a half-brother Edward Bassett.
A graveside service will be held at Willamette National Cemetery, Thursday, August 16, 2012, at 3:00 p.m.
Please sign our guestbook at www.redmondmemorial.com.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1922 - 2012 (89 years)