EMCM Basil Eugene Harl

Basil Eugene Harl, 93, died at Franciscan Villa in South Milwaukee, WI, on March 9, 2024, due to heart complications. Basil was born Dec. 10, 1930, in North Salem, Linn Co., MO. During early childhood, he lived near Winigan, Sullivan Co., MO. Later, his father moved the family to Wapello, Louisa Co., IA, for better job opportunities. Basil's journey from the rolling hills of Winigan to the caring farm community of Wapello foreshadowed a life of movement and service.

Basil was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar R. and Helen L. Harl; step-mother, Cecelia A. Thompson; step-brother, Kenneth M. Walsinger; brother, Douglas L.; sister, Doris W., who died at birth; and his wife, Hazel Louise Brown, who died from COVID-19 complications in 2020. Basil married Hazel on April 14, 1952, in Iowa City, IA. They are survived by their three children: Tina L. Harl of Kenosha, WI; Van E. Harl (Dawn Rausch) of Cudahy, WI; and Tara L. Harl of Norfolk, VA. They also have three granddaughters: Anna Louise H. Sviben of Minneapolis, MN; Ailsa L. Harl of Norfolk, VA; and Felicity N. (Ryan Olson) Harl of Dayton, OH. Surviving siblings are Leota Mae (Harl) Schaper of Letts, IA, and Loyd Winston (Joelean) Harl of Simpsonville, SC. In addition, Basil is survived by a sister-in-law, Tena Harl of Corpus Christi, TX, and many cherished nieces and nephews.

While in Iowa, Basil's father often relocated the family. Basil learned to adapt. At one homestead, he would walk his sister to the neighboring Charbonneau farm to visit the Charbonneau girls. After first attending Huron and Mediapolis High Schools, he graduated from Wapello High School in 1948. In August of the same year, Basil enlisted in the U.S. Navy with his friend, Harry Humiston. Though Harry did not stay in the navy, Basil embarked on a 26-year career (1948-1974), achieving the rank of Master Chief Electrician's Mate.

In the navy, Basil served on several ships: USS Maloy; USS Basilone; USS Rochester; USS Claude V. Ricketts; USS Oglethorpe; and USS Hunley (twice). He also had many duty station assignments: Great Lakes, IL, (thrice); Washington D.C.; New London, CT; Norfolk, VA, (thrice); White Sands, NM; Kodiak, AK; Vallejo, CA; Long Beach, CA; Idaho Falls, ID; Holy Loch, Argyll, Scotland; and Charleston, SC. His travels took him to every U.S. state, parts of Canada and Mexico, numerous Caribbean islands, and parts of Europe, Asia, and North Africa.

Basil's naval duties were diverse, involving missile technology, engine room and submarine maintenance, nuclear power, and surveillance. He took advantage of every naval training program offered and was committed to self-improvement. With the G.I. Bill, he earned both bachelor's and master's degrees. Shaped by military service, Basil was an honest man. While serving, he acquired several tattoos, cribbage skills, and navy speech. If you put a hand on a wall, he would yell, "Get your hand off the bulkhead!" And he always referred to snacks as gedunks.

After naval retirement, Basil transitioned to a second career working for Commonwealth Edison in Chicago for 16 years (1974-1990). Working in quality assurance, he monitored nuclear power plant safety in Zion, IL, and across the state, with his work frequently taking him to the East and West Coasts of the U.S.

Beyond his professional life, Basil had many passions. He loved reading and traveling to historical sites worldwide with his family. Once in Rome, he took his wife and children into the depths of a catacomb because he said people needed to remember. Before Gen. Douglas MacArthur's burial in Norfolk, Basil insisted the family stand in a procession line to view/pay respect to the general. Wherever traveling, the family had to acknowledge the significance of the closest body of water--whether it was the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean, English Channel, Mediterranean Sea, Sea of Japan, or the Mississippi River.

After leaving Com. Ed., Basil enjoyed refinishing oak furniture, raising tomatoes, feeding squirrels, driving his 1929 Model A Ford, and visiting Iowa relatives. Nothing made him happier than spending time with his beloved sister, Leota Mae, while eating fried catfish, watermelon, or corn. In later years, Basil enjoyed teaching woodshop skills to his granddaughters.

Basil's ashes will be interred at Burlington Memorial Park, Burlington, IA, sometime in the summer of 2024. Memorials may be sent to the United Methodist Church in Kingston, IA. Before his life voyage ended, Basil approved his tombstone epitaph: "Iowa: Final Port of Call."