Henry Frank Bassett

1931 - 2023

Henry Frank Bassett It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. Henry Bassett died peacefully in his sleep on May 30, 2023. He availed himself of every opportunity to remain here on Earth and made it to 92. All who knew him will miss his keen observations, wit, kindness and ever-present deadpan wry remarks. He was not a preacher of equal rights and opportunities, but he saw the potential in each individual regardless of gender, race or physical condition and lived these principles as naturally as he breathed the air. He served as a father figure to many, many individuals, some related to him and some not.

Henry was born on May 18, 1931 in Royal Oak, Michigan, the only child of Harry and Ruth (Anderson) Bassett. He moved with his parents to Madison, WI, at the age of 13 and they built one of the first houses in the inhabited area of the University of Wisconsin Arboretum. Henry graduated from Madison Central High School in 1949. He earned a degree at UW Madison in Biology. He then served 2 years in the US Army where "situational awareness" became his modus operandi for the rest of his life.

Henry and his wife Susan gave their five children a one-of-a-kind upbringing including years with differently-abled foster children, a taste of the American family for foreign students, life in Cameroun and Thailand where Bassett kids attended school in new languages. Henry was a visionary whose family prized his ability to "consider what is possible, then make it happen!"

Henry worked for many years as a construction consultant. He prided himself in creating not just a building but a part of a larger community. One of the accomplishments he found most satisfying was his part in the design and construction of over 1000 residential units for senior citizens of limited means in Wisconsin and Illinois. These units were built in the 1960s and 1970s. Each project is still in service and still provides a pleasant residence for senior citizens in a beautifully community 25% of their income. Henry spent more than a decade collecting wheelchairs and other medical supplies, refurbishing them and shipping (or driving!) them to developing countries where they were put to good use. He and Susan also collected and purchased thousands of pairs of eyeglasses. Susan used a donated set of optical lenses to fit villagers (mostly Hmong) in northern Thailand for glasses. As anyone with poor eyesight can attest, this is a life changing gift.

At home Henry was an enthusiastic motorcyclist. He could fix anything and loved to do so. The prize he loved best was his 1969 BMW motorcycle which still runs "just fine". He also loved his 100 year old home (one of the five originals in the Arboretum area's Lost City) and all the wildlife that shares the neighborhood. Owls, hawks, cranes, herons, foxes, coyotes, possums, turtles, even deer and turkeys -- he had favorites but he taught his family to enjoy them all.

Henry is survived by his children, Peter, Grace, John (Stephanie Coleman), Jenny (Paul Conner) and Dan (Michelle MgGrorty) Bassett, grandchildren Margarita, Bridgett, Lena, Cory, Paris, Anna and Maggy Bassett and Roxanne, Malcom and Charlotte Conner, and by great grandchildren Kiera, Kieran, Jr. and Kerai Young.