Although born on December 7, 1946 in Pittsburgh, PA, Bob’s formative years were spent in idyllic El Cajon, CA. As he thrived in sunny California, attending USMA was a distant dream fueled by his Dad being a “Grad” of the highly storied Class of 1919. June Week 1969 was not only a celebration of Bob’s graduation but also a celebration of his father’s 50th Reunion, for which Bob and then fiancée, Vicki, enjoyed partying with his Dad’s classmates.
Bob attended Grossmont Union High School, Class of ’64, where to no surprise his nickname was “Hound Dog.” He loved playing basketball and tennis, and his aspiration at the time was to attend San Diego State to become a landscape architect. Upon graduation, he attended San Diego State for one year, where he was an active member of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. While happy there and academically successful, he still dreamed of following his Dad into the Long Gray Line.
So, in July of l965, Bob left sunny southern California for West Point. Bob’s early years at the Academy were difficult, but his determination and the comradery with his B-4 classmates helped him succeed. He graduated on the dean’s list with his choice of branch. When not studying, preparing for class, or sleeping, Bob especially loved playing intramural football. His roommate said Bob was quite the quarterback, with an unbelievable “throwing arm.” Of course, Bob was also known for his sense of punctuality. Word was that if you were walking to class behind Bassett, that Bassett was on time, and you were late!
Bob met the love of his life, Vicki, in the spring of his yearling year. She was transferring from nearby Ladycliff College to Fordham University, when a Ladycliff friend told her of the perfect guy for her: “His name is Bob Bassett, and he’s from California.” So began their magical journey together. They married June 15, 1969 at the Catholic Chapel and remained deeply in love and best friends until his death.
Upon graduation, Bob attended the Air Defense Artillery Officer Basic Course in El Paso, TX, followed by three years with the 4th Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery in Ansbach, Germany. He received an Army Commendation Medal for his service as a battalion staff officer and battery commander. While there, Vicki and Bob took every free chance to travel throughout Europe with and to visit dear friends stationed overseas. From Germany, Bob had an unaccompanied hardship tour as a Hawk missile battery commander for the 1st Battalion, 44th Air Defense Artillery in Kunsan, Korea and as the operations officer for the 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade in Osan, Korea. He received excellent performance reviews for both assignments. After five years of service, Bob resigned his commission to attend a highly competitive Accelerated Business Management Program at the MIT Sloane School of Management. Bob always loved academics and a challenge, and this highly concentrated program put a spring in his step.
Union Carbide Corporation hired Bob directly from MIT. From 1975 to 1991, Bob climbed the corporate ladder progressing from market analyst through market planning manager and regional product manager to worldwide product manager for helium and hydrogen. From his success, he earned his peers’ and management’s respect as the “go-to” guy for helium and hydrogen corporate matters.
Along the way, Bob pursued a law degree by attending Quinnipiac University School of Law at night while maintaining his full-time job and proudly supporting his two sons in their various extracurricular activities. After receiving his law degree, Bob joined the Praxair Corporate Law Department, progressing from corporate counsel and assistant secretary through senior counsel and assistant secretary to chief governance officer and assistant general counsel. It was said that no one could write a contract like Bassett. As a measure of his intellect and work quality, Bob became a highly respected advisor to the CEO and board of directors on corporate governance, securities law, and NYSE regulation. After hours, Bob loved treating Vicki and friends to the theater in New York City. Not sure how many times they attended Les Misérables.
However, Bob downplayed his professional accomplishments. He was first and foremost proud of his wife and two sons. When given the opportunity in ’69 Class updates or Christmas cards, he would waste no space on himself. Instead he would extol the accomplishments of his sons, “My son the doctor and my son the composer.” He would say with great pride, “One soothes the body, the other soothes the soul.” Their accomplishments were the result of who he was, and the example he set. They learned from him the core values of integrity, loyalty, honor, duty, strong moral fiber, and tremendous work ethic. Those were not just words to Bob, they were his true measure and the way he lived his life. His children were his greatest achievement, the fruit of living a principled life and of setting an unwavering example.
Bob was diagnosed with an aggressive case of prostate cancer in 2008. He fought this dreaded disease courageously, with great dignity, and without complaining, to the very end. He will be forever missed by his loving wife, Vicki, and his two sons, Robb and Christopher, and their wives, Blair and Laurel. Bob’s grandchildren—Zoe, Ryan, and Graham—will always remember him as their loving “Pa” watching over them from Heaven.
On his headstone Bob requested the simple but most meaningful engraving for any “grad”: “Well done. Be Thou at Peace.”
— Vicki, Robb and Chris Bassett