Final Salute

Baseler, Richard Dale “Big Rich”

Age 92, peacefully entered into Heaven on Saturday September 19, 2020. Rich was a proud patriot and served in the United States Navy Seabees in WWII. Upon his discharge he attended Rolla School of Mines and furthered his studies at Wash U and Purdue U earning his degree in Engineering. He had a long career in Refrigeration Engineering becoming renowned in his field. He built a legacy company that is currently being run by his ever-capable, youngest son Dan, who is very aware of the mighty big shoes he now must fill.

Richard grew up in Spanish Lake, Missouri. He married his first wife Mary Jo nee
McGuire in 1950 and together they raised five children. After Mary Jo’s passing, Richard met and married his loving wife Barbara nee Gyorog and together they adopted and raised their daughter Angelica.

Throughout his life Richard enjoyed family and friends, playing golf and enjoying a cold drink on the nineteenth hole, especially at his beloved Raintree. Rich was best known for his “can do” attitude and impeccable work ethic, his patience, tenacity and the pride he took in his children was unwavering. He gave all of his children the gifts of faith, trust, perseverance and unconditional love. Rich lived a long and accomplished life and he will be most remembered for his love of God, Country and most of all, his big and loving family. Anchors Aweigh Rich!!!!

He is survived by his sister Edna Ann Speidel, his wife of 37 years, Barbara nee Gyorog and six children, Judith (Dr. Jose) Ramirez, Kathleen (Dennis) Lammlein, Marian (John) Stack, Richard M. Baseler, Daniel (Julie) Baseler and Angelica Baseler. Grandfather to Daphne, Michelle, Amy, Mike, Kelly, Alex, Ricardo, Roberto, Christina, Shelby and the Epple kids, Brooke, John, Zach, Ben and Tori.
Great grandpa to Anthony, Aden, Audrey, Ally, Macy, Lydia, Mikey and Rowan.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Emily Taft and Benedict Baseler, as well as his grandson Benjamen Glover.

He generously donated his body to Saint Louis University. A Celebration of Life will be planned at a later date. Rich would like you to remember him when you next gather with family and friends.

His loving wife Barbara composed her thoughts that are so well said.
“The brilliance that was Richard D. Baseler shines now only in our hearts, through our actions and the love we show to one another. He put respect and caring in our hearts. He will be missed by his devoted family and friends.
An eminent engineer, mentor, an honored husband, dad, grandpa, great-grandpa, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. Relish the time you had with him and continue to have an enjoyable life, that would be his wish. We were blessed to know him, a man of great substance.”