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MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly Jul '90
Robert Edward Bassler, Jr. No. 15461 Class of 1946
Died 30 July 1985 in Tucson, Arizona, aged 61 years.
Interment: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia
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Robert Edward Bassler, Jr. (Bob) was born in Brooklyn,
New York, on 3 March 1924. His father was a career officer in
the US Navy, so Bob lived all over the world as a "Navy
junior." He graduated from Rogers High School in Newport,
Rhode Island, and then at-tended Columbian Prep in Washington,
DC and Cornell University, before en-tering West Point on 1 July
1943 with the Class of 1946.
His friends and roommates at West Point recall
vividly the characteristics that were to mark Bob's cadet life
and his 30 years as an Army officer. One room-mate remembers
Bob as having more self discipline than any two people he ever
met. His determination, hard work and thoroughness were remarkable.
In later years, Bob would tell his children of that hot summer
day when it was time to try out for the Cadet Choir. After double
timing to the fourth floor and being told to sing "Glory
to God," Bob was told that not only could he not carry a
tune, but that he would throw others out of tune. The Class of
'46 was the last class to take riding in the old riding hall,
Bob missed the class on how to gallop a horse. So, at the next
class, the instructor called out "Gallop Ho" and the
horse knew what to do, but not Bob. As the horse galloped around
the ring, Bob was holding on for dear life with his arms and
legs wrapped as close as possible around the horse.
His roommates recall one incident during cadet
years that dramatically changed Bob's life. One of his roommates
arranged for his date to bring along a date for Bob. The last
moment, the girl could not come, so a substitute was found. This
date turned out to he Frannie whom Bob was to later marry. There
was no doubt in Bob's mind that this was the girl of his dreams
who would change his life for the better.
After graduation, Bob went into the Ordnance
Corps. After the usual schools, his first assignment was to an
Ordnance company with the Constabulary in Ger-many. In the middle
of this tour, he returned to Columbus, Ohio, to marry Frances
Thomson Sterner on 22 October 1948. Frannie accompanied him back
to Germany to finish his tour. From Ger-many, he was sent to
the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he obtained a
master of science in mechanical engineering, graduating with
honors. He was next assigned to Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland,
from 1952-54. 1955 saw Bob and Frannie travel to Buenos Aires,
Argentina, as assistant Army attaché. This was one of
Bob's favor-ite assignments, and he got a lot of mileage from
his story about the galloping horse in riding class, since his
Ar-gentinian officer friends were all excellent horsemen.
In 1958, Bob received the H.W. Alden Award, presented
by the American Ord-nance Association to the outstanding graduate
of the Ordnance Officer Career Course. His next assignment was
as chief project officer, Army Ballistic Mis-sile Agency at Cape
Canaveral, Florida. From there he attended the Command and General
Staff College at Fort Leav-enworth, Kansas. This was followed
by a tour as Ordnance training advisor to the Vietnamese Army
Ordnance Corps. His return to CONUS found him as chief, Research
& Development Group, Frankford Arsenal, Philadelphia, Pennsylva-nia.
In 1964, Bob joined the Defense Intelligence Agency in Washington,
DC. He took command of the 87th Ordnance Battalion in Stuttgart,
Germany in 1967 and moved to Headquarters USAREUR in 1969 as
a staff officer in DCSLOG. Going from Europe to Thailand, Bob
became the deputy chief of staff for Logistics, US Army Support
Command, Thailand. In 1972, he was assigned to Headquarters Training
and Doctrine Command, Fort Monroe. Virginia, as a Logistics staff
officer. Bob retired at Fort Monroe in 1976. His decorations
includ-ed the Army Commendation Medal, the Joint Services Commendation
Medal, the Legion of Merit with two Oak Leaf Clusters and the
Argentine Order of Military Merit.
After retirement Bob obtained a BS in business
administration from Old Do-minion University, graduating summa
cum laude. He became a CPA and moved to Tucson, Arizona, where
he joined H&R Block and did income tax work until his death.
Bob and Frannie had two sons, Tom and Bob, III
(USMA '74). When Bob III was a lieutenant stationed in Germany,
a senior major stopped him and asked if he was any relation to
Colonel Robert Bassler. Upon. learning that it was his father,
the major broke into a smile and said, "I was a company
commander in your dad's battalion. He was a good, firm commander,
firm but fair." These comments reflected what Bob's two
sons felt about him. He was firm but always fair. They were always
urged to do better, to keep going, get the job done to the best
of their abilities. These were the precepts which guided Bob
throughout his life. The boys also recall an incident reminiscent
of Bob's tryout for the Cadet Choir as a plebe. The family was
attending church services at a huge church in downtown Philadel-phia.
The boys were 10 and 11, respect-ively. Bob got carried away
and decid-ed to sing out on a particular hymn, just as loudly
as the man behind them with a great voice. True to what he had
been told as a plebe, the louder he sang, the worse he sounded.
First Tom, then Bob III and then Frannie all began giggling.
Ladies in white hats as far as five rows in front of Bob turned
their heads and tittered. When Bob finally realized what was
happening, be burst into laughter. This cracked up the family
and they all started laughing. The boys recall being thankful
that the service was almost over. This is an illustration of
Bob's sense of humor.
Bob's dedication did not stop upon retirement.
A co-worker at H&R Block recalls Bob's level of production
was remarkable. This friend took over many of Bob's clients after
his death. They all felt that they had lost a true friend and
confidant rather than a tax consultant.
To say that Bob was conscientious is an understatement,
He believed that he had to do his very best at everything he
attempted. To do otherwise was un-thinkable. Duty, Honor and
Country were not just words to him. They represented a credo
by which his every action on was governed. His friends and classmates
will remember him as one of the finest persons they have ever
known. His family will remember him as loyal, loving and protective;
a wonderful husband and father.
As we think about Bob joining "the Long Gray Line,"
we must say "Well Done, Be Thou At Peace." We are proud
to have had the opportunity to know him. His memory will be
with us forever.
'46 Memorial Article Project and
his wife, Frannie
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