Submitted by: Dan Rich
May 2, 1924 -- Nov. 25, 2005
South Bend Tribune 11/30/2005
Robert T. Basham, 81, of Fort Wayne, IN, passed away with his wife and children at his side at 8:06 p.m. Friday, November 25, 2005, at Dupont Hospital in Fort Wayne.
Bob was born on May 2, 1924, in South Bend, IN, to the late James Otway and Suelo (Hoskins) Basham.
He graduated from Riley High School in 1942. Bob was inducted into the Army on March 12, 1943, and was honorably discharged on February 7, 1946.
On July 27, 1964, Bob married Dorothy, whom he leaves to cherish his memory. Bob was in the pharmaceutical industry for 32 years as a salesman and then later as a district manager for the S.J. Tutag Company. In the early 1970s Bob was one of the founders of PRN Pharmaceutical Company, which was located in Pensacola, FL. He worked in direct contact with doctors of veterinary medicine.
In the late 1970s Bob and Dorothy purchased the Scottish Inns Motel and later the Expressland Convenience Store, and then built an Arby's Fast Food Restaurant, all in Wabash, IN. They also owned several other Arby's Fast Food Restaurants in Elkhart, IN, St. Joseph and Benton Harbor, MI. In the early 1990s they purchased the Dupont Deli in Fort Wayne, where Dorothy still resides.
Bob loved sports of almost every kind, especially golf, bowling, softball and football, both playing and as a spectator. Bob and his son enjoyed playing sports together, especially golf and bowling. Even though he didn't play sports with his daughter, they always enjoyed watching and talking about the Cubs. Bob was a very loving, kind and gentle person with the best sense of humor and a golden heart that will always beat in our hearts. He will forever be missed and loved. Bob was a remarkable husband, incredible father and a wonderful grandfather.
Bob is survived by his loving wife, Dorothy; his son, Robert D. Basham of South Bend; his daughter, Barbara L. DiLorenzo of Osceola, IN; two stepsons, Jeffrey L. (Betsy) Chandonia of Sandy, Utah, and Mark B. (Kim) Chandonia of Kearns, Utah; two granddaughters, Michele R. Barrett-Heaton of South Bend, IN, and Katie E. Dodson of South Bend, IN; four step-grandchildren, Cherlynn St. Sauver of Forest Grove, OR, Liberty Dill of Magna, Utah, Gabriel Chandonia of Kearns, Utah, Samantha Elgin of Sandy, Utah; and 14 great-grandchildren.
Services will be held today, November 30, 2005, at 3:00 p.m. in the Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home, 10776 McKinley Highway, Osceola, IN. Family visitation will be between 1 and 2 p.m. today, November 30, 2005.
Friends may call between 2 and 3 p.m. today, November 30, 2005. Entombment will follow the funeral service in the Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, where VFW Post 360 will perform military honors.