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Keith Hamilton Basso

Keith Hamilton Basso obituary

Keith Basso Obituary

Basso, Keith Hamilton
73, of Heber AZ., departed this world on August 4, 2013 after a very sudden illness. Dr. Basso was born in Asheville, N. C. and spent his early years in Weston, CT. It was here that he began a lifelong appreciation of both mules and the written word. He graduated from Harvard University 1960, cum laude. It was during the summer of his junior year, 1959, that Keith first went to the White Mountain Apache community of Cibecue. He spent that summer under the eye of his great friend and mentor Dick Cooley while learning the basics of the Western Apache language and the skills of a working cowboy. In his heart and soul, he never left Cibecue from that time forward. Dr. Basso completed his PhD in Linguistic Anthropology at Stanford University. He was then Professor of Anthropology at the University of Arizona, Tucson, Yale University, New Haven, CT. and the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque from 1989 until his retirement in 2006. Keith pursued his interest in the Western Apache language and culture throughout his life and many of his deepest friendships were with Cibecue individuals. These relationships were precious to him and he was honored to try to portray Apache people and their world views in his writings. Their sense of humor and fun, especially when at his own expense, delighted him. Keith took the craft of writing very seriously and received many awards for his efforts over the years. Keith's numerous books and articles include The Cibecue Apache, Portraits of The Whiteman, Wisdom Sits in Places, and his last book which was co-authored with Eva Watt, Don't Let The Sun Step Over You. Throughout his life, Keith was an active participant in and Board Member of several Native American civil rights organizations, including The Association of American Indian Affairs, The National Museum of the American Indian - Smithsonian Institution, and the Western Apache NAGPRA Working Group. He also served as "expert consultant - witness" for various legal cases involving the rights of Native people and their governments. Since the mid 1980's, Keith has made his primary home outside of Heber with his wife Gayle. Together they have had the fun of sharing many challenges and wonderful friends. And also the company of a splendid mule from Cibecue, known as Margie. For the past 20 years, Keith has explored the art and techniques of rawhide braided horse gear which he first encountered long ago among the Cibecue cowboys. His braided pieces have been exhibited throughout the U.S. West and are sought out by collectors. Keith was predeceased by his parents Hamilton Basso (a writer) and Etolia Simmons Basso (a teacher). He is survived by his wife Gayle, many cousins and in-laws, a host of "almost relatives" on the Fort Apache Reservation and many dear friends around the world. Keith was a gentleman and a gentle man. He will be mourned and
most deeply missed by all. Being a modest man who disliked any fuss, he requested no public funeral. In his memory, he and his family request donations to be sent to Cibecue Community School Language Program, PO Box 80068, Cibecue, AZ. 85911

Published by The Arizona Republic on Aug. 11, 2013.
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Memories and Condolences
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I grew up living very near Keith in Weston CT. It was a small precious town at that time-with a very small population. Keith was a decent school mate and it is no surprise he had an outstanding life. He was liked and respected by all he came in contact with, including me.

Rick Weiss Bizzoco

Friend

August 9, 2021

I only knew him when I came to Tucson to teach his classes at the U. of Arizona while he was working on one of his beautiful studies of the Apache and their culture. That must have been in 1979 after I graduated from UC Berkeley, majoring in Anthropology and linguistics under the guidance of Prof. John J. Gumperz. He was a beautiful person, an excellent writer and ethnographer. Anyone who has "learned" about native Americans from Hollywood should read his works. They are so clearly written and and he always kept himself in the background while describing and helping to give voice to his subject, the language and culture of the Apaches. I only just now found out about his passing.

Adrian Bennett

Coworker

November 2, 2020

My deepest condolences to his wife, family, and friends. He was a great man with a deep passion for our people. I am honored to have met Keith and talk with him about our Apache Language. He showed his love and compassion for my people as he talked. May his work forever be carried on! Bik'egho'ihi'dan bless you all.

Kathy Wallen

August 20, 2013

I echo many of other commenters in offering my gratitude to Keith Basso as a mentor and role model. To his students, he quietly conveyed his deep respect for the Western Apache; he showed this beyond words through his lifelong commitment to mastering the language and understanding its deepest embedding of Apache ways of seeing and being. I came to appreciate his rather odd, halting way of speaking as a reflection of something he internalized in his decades in Arizona: the high value placed on mental and spiritual discipline -- on precision and care taken in thought and speech and action -- as an essential component of spiritually correct conduct. The depth of his work made it clear to all who encountered his writings and lectures that what he learned from Western Apache elders was of supreme importance not only for them, but for all of us. My sincere condolences to his wife, family, and community.

Thompson Smith

August 20, 2013

Moran Family

August 14, 2013

Keith's work for and with the Western Apache is an inspiration to all. He gave of his time freely to help Western Apaches fight against telescope development on Dzil N'chaa Si An (Mt. Graham), to aid in repatriation, and to represent Apache points of view drawn from his work as an expert witness. His writing has influenced generations of students and scholars within many fields. He will be greatly missed, both personally and professionally.

Betsy Brandt

August 12, 2013

Keith, you were surely one of us, in heart and spirit. Words can never, ever begin to express how deeply we miss you even with knowing that there's a lovely life after death and that you've lived your life to the fullest. Rest in peace our dearest brother!

Clifford & Norma DeHose

August 12, 2013

Keith's work and life were inspirations to all of us who try to understand and help people save places of value and the stories with which they're associated. He'll be sorely missed.

Tom King

August 12, 2013

To the Basso family. My family is sorry for your loss, may God give your family the strength to cope during this difficult time, also the care and love from others will make you feel that you are not alone. Proverbs I7:17 says "A true companion is loving all the time, and is a brother that is born for when there is distress."

JP

August 11, 2013

Keith was an amazing person, I wish I could thank him for coming to Cibecue and for being in my family's life, Cibecue won't be the same without him.

Rest in paradise Keith, you will be missed dearly.

Henrietta Tessay

August 11, 2013

Henrietta Tessay, Lori Adams Frances Adams, Amber Tessay, Calvert Tessay, Darlene P. Tessay

August 11, 2013

I was with Keith in grad school at Stanford; he was 2 years ahead. He was even then recognized as a committed, engaged, meticulous scholar, someone praised by George Spindler, his advisor, and another member of his committee, Charles Frake. I used "Portraits of the Whiteman" in my teaching, and Wisdom Sits in Places is a beautifully written book full of wisdom itself. Keith also had a wonderful sense of humor. And I was very glad to read of his advocacy work on behalf of the Cibecue.
The only photo I have of him is at a party; he's singing, giving it his all. This would have been in 1966.

Jean Jackson

August 11, 2013

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