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- Robert E. Bassett, son Franklin Clyde and Maria Bassett, was born 19 May 1929 (SSDI) in Norwood, Norfolk County, Massachusetts (Vol. 82, p.476). He died 6 Jul 2000 (SSDI) in Columbia, Howard County, Maryland.
Robert Bassett, veteran Radio, TV broadcaster
SOUTH COAST TODAY, 11 July 2000
COLUMBIA, Md. - Robert "Bob" Bassett, 71, a veteran radio and television broadcaster, died at home Thursday, July 6, 2000. He had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, for the past 12 years. Born in Norwood, Mass., and raised and educated in Needham from age 5, he graduated from Needham High School in 1948. He served three years in the Army, receiving the Purple Heart for wounds in the Korean War.
Mr. Bassett began a 36-year career in broadcasting as a part-time announcer with WKOX in Framingham, Mass., in 1952, where he was fired for playing Dizzy Gillespie's recording of "Ooh-Bop-Sh-Bam" between two Sunday morning church services. He spent the next four years with WPEP in Taunton, Mass., which he attributed to his "basic knowledge of the industry; I literally did everything from sweeping floors to becoming a local celebrity and where I finally had the opportunity to present jazz and big bands on a large scale."
He joined WHIM in Providence in 1956, followed in turn by WWRI in West Warwick, R.I., WSAR in Fall Raiver, Mass., and in 1959 took his broadcasting to WRVM in Rochester, N.Y., where he discovered the then unknown Chuck Mangione and featured his sextet "live" each Saturday evening on his program. In 1961, Chuck wrote and recorded "The Bassett Sound," for Mr. Bassett. That same year, he became a charter member of the new WLKW operation in Providence, leaving after 10 months to enter television with WPRO in the same city. Hosting the late movie, he was noticed by the management of the soon-to-be new TV Station, WTEV, Channel 6, which had studios in New Bedford, Mass., and additional facilities in Providence.
He became an original with the station and spent his next 18 years with the outlet, and freelancing radio jazz with both New Bedford radio stations and SWAR in Fall River. Within three months of Channel 6 existence, he was made "temporary" host of a new, half-hour daily talk program, called "Community." Seventeen years later, he was still the host It was the longest continuous show of its type in New England at the time and earned him countless awards, citations and honors.
In addition to hosting "Community", he became sports director and broadcaster the same year, and continued in that role for 15 years. His career was nationally featured in Radio-TV Mirror Magazine and numerous other publications.
In 1981, he left WTEV and moved to Maryland, eventually re-entering radio with WEAM in Washington and finding immense popularity with creations unique to him and the station. He took a position as field representative for the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers from 1984 to 1987, working in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia.
In September of 1987, he re-entered radio going to WITH in Baltimore and joining his former manager at WEAM. He retired from broadcasting when the disease began to rob him of his voice and he began to realize the devastation that accompanies ALS/Lou Gehrig's disease. Still, he managed to work 18 months for the United States Postal Service, until his illness took even more of a tool on his body.
Survivors include his widow, Joan Bassett; a daughter, Leslie Frizze of Martha's Vineyard; a son, Gordon of Catonsville, Md.; a stepdaughter, Lynne Lewis of Columbia, Md.; a stepson, Phillip Barrows of New Bedford; a brother, Arthur of Needham; a sister, Judith Atkins of Colorado; nephews and nieces; two grandchildren; and four stepgrandchildren.
His body is being donated to Johns Hopkins for ALS research.
A memorial service is being planned for Aug. 20 in New Bedford.
The Sun, Baltimore, Maryland, 13 Jul 2000
Robert "Bob" Bassett, 71, radio, TV personality
Robert "Bob" Bassett, a veteran radio and television personality, died July 6 of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease, at his Columbia home. He was 71. In 1987, Mr. Bassett was host of a midday show on radio station WITH in Baltimore, playing jazz and big-band music. Because of his illness, he was forced to retire a year later. The Norwood, Mass., native was raised in Needham, Mass. He earned his bachelor's degree from Emerson College in 1952. He worked at radio stations in New England and New York, and from 1961 until 1980, was host of "Community" on WTEV-TV in New Bedford, Mass., where he also did sports commentary. In 1981, he moved to Maryland and joined WEAM in Washington, where each day he broadcast a different version of the song "Stardust" on his afternoon show. He also initiated a movie quiz for listeners, conducted a nightly jazz program and served as an emcee for the Kool Jazz Festivals at the Kennedy Center. He also worked as a consultant to the Smithsonian Institution vintage recording program. He served in the Army during the Korean War. His decorations included the Purple Heart. Plans for a memorial service were incomplete yesterday. He is survived by his wife of 19 years, the former Joan Roderick; a son, Gordon Bassett of Catonsville; a daughter, Leslie Frizzell of Martha's Vineyard, Mass.,; a brother, Arthur Bassett of Needham; a sister, Judith Atkins of Colorado; two grandchildren; a stepson, Phil Barrows of New Bedford; a stepdaughter, Lynne Lewis of Columbia; and four step-grandchildren.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1929 - 2000 (71 years)