Robert Charles Bashe'

Robert Bashe' Obituary
Born in Chicago on May 27, 1944, Robert Charles Bashé died on August 29, 2024 at the Veterans Medical Center, West Haven, CT.
Bob's family includes his wife of 37 years, Susan Reed Basché, son Alex Basché, grandson, Steven Williams & granddaughter, Natalie Williams, his brother Tony Basché, nieces Andrea (Luke) Devereux, Danielle (Joe) Calo, 6 grand-nieces and grand-nephews. He was predeceased by his father, Robert F. Basché, mother Vivian Anderson and sister-in-law Roberta (Bobbie) Basché.
He was a member of The New York Yacht Club, The International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, RI, and the Roton Point Association in Rowayton, CT.
Raised in Deerfield, Illinois, Bob attended Notre Dame High School for Boys and was a graduate of the University of Notre Dame where he majored in Communication Arts. During college, he joined music-loving friends to form a wildly popular rock & roll group called The Nightlighters. Upon graduation in 1966 he joined the US Navy and was accepted into Officer Candidate School in Newport. He was commissioned an Ensign and was ordered to the USS Haverfield, a destroyer based in Pearl Harbor but deployed to Vietnam 1967-1968 during the Vietnam War. His highest rank was Lieutenant.
"Bash," as he was affectionately known, began his sports career as communications director for the Virginia Slims Tennis Tour, the LPGA and ATP tours before landing a job at NBC Sports. He was head of on-air talent and promotion and associate producer of Wimbledon. In 1979 when tape-delay finally gave way to live television coverage of the men's tennis finals, Bob made history when he coined the phrase "Breakfast at Wimbledon." He was most proud of three Emmy Awards he won while working at NBC Sports.
Following NBC, he co-founded Millsport, a sports marketing company. After 25 years of being a sports exec, the company was sold. In "semi-retirement," Bob found a second career selling boats, a perfect fit as he had always loved being on the water and working with other boating enthusiasts. Capt'n Bob spent as much time as possible on his 34-ft. downeast boat, Wild Duck, which he navigated to his favorite spot, Block Island every summer for almost 35 years. Bob and his wife Susan moved to a classic old farmhouse in CT with their son Alex and a succession of yellow Labs. Each Thanksgiving eager friends gathered there for the annual football game on the side yard that Bob dubbed "The Turkey Bowl."
A lover and inveterate collector of sports memorabilia and all things nautical, Bob generously donated the original Wimbledon Bench from his collection to the Tennis Hall of Fame Museum where it is prominently displayed.
"Bob continued his selfless service and dedication to his fellow veterans by volunteering at the West Haven VA for the past 4 years, with over 600 volunteer hours. He found it so rewarding that he decided to come back into the workforce at 80 years old as an information receptionist at the front desk. He was loved by all, brought the utmost positive attitude, largest helping hand and the brightest smile to the main lobby every day." Written by Rhiannon Oakes, Voluntary Service Specialist at the West Haven VA, in memory of Bob Basché.
At the time of his passing, Bob lived with his wife and son in West Haven CT, happily a stone's throw from the water. The family would like to thank the cardiology and oncology staff at the West Haven VA Hospital for providing excellent and compassionate care throughout.
Calling hours will be held at the West Haven Funeral Home on the Green on Thursday, September 5th from 5-7 pm. Burial with full military honors will be held in the fall. There will be a celebration of Bob's life in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bob's memory to Volunteer Services, c/o VA Hospital, 950 Campbell Ave. West Haven CT 06516.
(photo credit: Bruce Plotkin)
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