Rolland "Red" Bastien
Rolland "Red" Bastien
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Rolland Bastien Obituary
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Joe Arbach
September 6, 2012
Greetings from Hoven, SD! Just read about Red in the Hoven paper. He sure was a fine man and was talked about alot,(all good of course)by my mom Bernadette (Bastien) Arbach. I would guess they are laughing up a storm in Heaven!! God Bless you all.
August 16, 2012
Carol and Tracy,
We are thinking of you and so sorry for your loss. Red was an amazing man. We will treasure the memories, laughter, and good times we had together on our numerous trips to Pueblo, San Diego, Annacortes, Vancouver and Hawaii. We were blessed to have know him.
Much love,
Sally, Robert, and Jane
Claire Morgan
August 16, 2012
Rolland "Red" Bastien was 'a great man', as my grandma would say. He actually passed away August 11, 2012. He was the last of my Grandma Morgan's Bastien family. Later, my grandma married Jim Morgan so now her name isn't Bastien. Anyway, his funeral was one of the first I have seen. Of course I cried, but I didn't feel said, for I knew exactly where he is, Heaven. I never knew the man, but I'm sure he was a very incredible man.
Ruth Bastien Kummer
August 15, 2012
My deepest sympathy for your loss. I remember Red was such a fun part of family reunions. He was a gentleman but always with that twinkle in his eye and a true entertainer with his wonderful stories.
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August 15, 2012
Carol & Tracy, our thoughts and prayers go out to you. We will all miss this wonderful man. We shared many good times with Red and Carol..such good memories to hold on to and cherish.
Patrick Warchol
August 15, 2012
He was main event, he will be truly missed.
DJL
August 15, 2012
Carol, Tracy and all the family across the land:
You know, he chose to have a good time as long as he could!! All of you as caregivers in the end deserve blessings, and as he would say here's a toast to you all! David and Ann Lipschultz, and Jimmy Smith.....
Residence Inn Minneapolis Staff
August 15, 2012
Carol and Family-
We are so sorry for your loss and will always have you in our thoughts and prayers.
Pam & Jim Xitco
August 15, 2012
Carol & Tracy, We will truly miss Red's contagious laugh and his wonderful stories. Jim and I feel very fortunate to have Red as a part of our lives. Our condolences to the whole Bastein Family. Love, Pam & Jim Xitco
Susan Simmons
August 15, 2012
My thoughts are prayers go out to Red's children: Roy, Rene, Stephanie, Denise, David & Jeffrey as well as his many grandchildren & great grandchildren.
You are in good company.
Joe Pottgieser
August 14, 2012
You gave us all great memories that will never forget.
Roger Buck
August 14, 2012
Farewell my friend, God Bless. Like everyone privileged to know you numerous stories and ribs run through my head. To the man I affectionately called "The Original Redhead" Thank You so much for what you have meant to so many. Heaven will now be a happier place, I will soon stop at the Frenchman's to toast you. Again God Bless Red, and to Carol and the Morgan Family my deepest sympathy.
Ellen and Tom Schaal
August 14, 2012
Remembering Uncle Rolland, filling up the house with his booming and infectious laugh. Remembering listening to his stories of adventure while expectantly waiting for his next prank (and falling for it anyway), like blocking your wrist just as you were about to put that last delicious forkful of pancake in your mouth. Tom and I will drink a toast in fond memory, from Colorado Springs.
Wrestling Mourns Our Red
Mike Lano
August 14, 2012
Like George Schire, Mick Karch and so many others, I'd known Red for some 40 years and had chronicled his life in the ring as a magazine photographer & writer. Red was always the absolute epitome of what a professional athlete should be, as well as what a human being can be capable of. Love, honesty, fun and friendship to name a few things Red excelled at. Although he held championship belts everywhere, he was always an even bigger champion as a person. No one loved life more than Red, and he lived it to the fullest with his multitude of friends. When someone would pass, he'd often say "no one ever had a bad word to say about that person..." In Red's case, not only was he universally idolized and respected, but the entire wrestling industry was his loving friend.
He was an amazing person who truly appreciated family and friends. When his wrestling career had wound down after competing all over the world at the top of his craft(especially the U.S., Canada and Japan for AJPW & IWE), he met the love of his life in Carol and her wonderful daughter Tracy. Red and Carol together traveled nearly every weekend to someplace new with the fantastic Delta or United deal they'd found. "For one annual fee, we can fly anywhere and everywhere, as much as we want. But please kfabe that!" he was fond of saying. And travel they did. Red was not only our incredible CAC president for those 7 years but never missed a CAC prior to that, nor any other wrestling reunion globally with Carol. She and Lou Thesz' wife Charlie often organized events for the signif others at these things who might be bored by "the biz." I had the honor of also working with Red behind the scenes at CAC and also documented him putting together just one of his many promotions after training various stars like Sting and Ultimate Helwig in the WIN group. Red's WIN brought to U.S. airwaves a syndicated weekly show in the 80's and early 90's spotlighting some of the finest Mexican lucha talent ever in Rey Mysterio Sr, Konnan, young stars Eddy Guerrero y Rey Mysterio Jr and many more. Red decades before that in late '75 had also recommended and sent a super young Roddy Piper to California where RP became a main event star in both L.A. & S.F.-at the same time, just as Red had been before that. And Red had more close friends in our industry than anyone including Ray Stevens, Nick Bockwinkel, Bobby Heenan, Kenji Shibuya, Destroyer/Dr X Dick Beyer, Bill Watts, Gordon Solie, Mitsu Arakawa, his pal and tag partner in Billy Red Lyons, Angelo Mosca, Peter Maivia, Earl Maynard, Bobo Brazil, Art Thomas, Crusher, Rocky Johnson, Peppers Gomez & Martin, The Tolos Boys, Johnny Valentine, you name it along with his rib partner in Pat Patterson. Pat finally got one on Red pulling down Red's infamous rainbow-colored Zubaz at an LIWA women wrestling legends convention in '94 while Red was presenting Bull Nakano & Akira Hokuto with awards. But no one was laughing harder and having more fun than Red.
He was an absolute gem, an aide many times to WWF/WWE and our world(well beyond mere wrestling) is a sadder, less friendly place without our Red.
When his AWA world tag partner Herc Cortez passed in that horrific auto accident that Red survived, he would always lament with tearful eyes the loss of his friend. Friendship to Red was everything and if anyone was able to warm up to promoters from Verne to Vince Sr, Eddie Graham, Mike Lebell, Ed Francis, the Vachons to Roy Shire, it was Red. They respected him on so many levels, and since his teen "AT" carnival days well before he even turned pro. What a fantastic life Red not only led, but created for himself.
Red, we all love and miss you greatly. Your tremendous and self-less contributions to the sports industry will always live on, just like you in our hearts. Carol, Tracy and all of Red's kids like Roland Jr out here in SF; we send our deepest condolences and share your loss.
Cheryl Bastien
August 14, 2012
Carol, I'm so sorry that we've lost Red. He was the best. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I love you, Cheryl, Jamie & Chris.
Al Friend
August 14, 2012
Carol and the entire Bastien family, I extend my prayers and thoughts for each and every one of you. Red was a truly great friend that made everybody smile when he came into a room. He will be missed by all that knew him. R.I.P. Red
Scott and Chris LaPree
August 14, 2012
Carol, we're so sad to hear about Red. We know he loved you dearly, as you loved him. May he be at pain-free peace. We'll see you Wednesday. Love, Chris and Scott
August 14, 2012
Carol, Sorry to hear about Red's passing. He was a great man and will be remembered forever. You will always be in my thoughts and prayers. Red was very lucky to have you in his life. Keep his memories alive. Lori Smith (Kenny Jay's daughter)
Kathy Szalewski
August 14, 2012
Sorry to hear of the loss of Red Bastien.
He was a fine person and a fine wrestler that will be missed by all who knew him. Former AWA Fan Club President
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