Charles Bernard Bastis

Charles Bernard Bastis (Chuck) 90 years, passed away on October 6, 2020. He was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota to parents Emil and Evelyn Bastis. During the war years, Charles entered school in New Brighton where his father worked at the Arms plant as an electrical engineer. In 1944 he was the winner of the “Know Your Minnesota” contest. After the war, the family moved back to South Minneapolis where he attended Roosevelt High School and met the love of his life, Lorna Borseth. Charles was active in DeMolay, Shriners and played clarinet in the Wenell Post of Minneapolis Police Band. Charles graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1948. He was engaged in classes of Civil Engineering at Northwestern University until joining the U. S Marine Corps in 1952. As a Marine, he served in the Korean Conflict attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. After serving his tour in El Torro, California, he returned to Minnesota where he completed a Bachelor of Science Degree in Math Education at the University of Minnesota. During his tenure as a math teacher at Robbinsdale, he also worked with the Greater Cleveland Mathematics Program and the School Math Study Group at the University of Minnesota. He taught Junior High math at Robbinsdale Junior High and coached riflery there until his retirement. Charles and wife were chaperones for the Minnesota Youth Orchestra tour to Romania in 1973. He retired in 1992 and built a home in Nevis, Minnesota on 7th Crow Wing Lake. He enjoyed the Middle Crow Wing Lake Association projects such as testing water clarity and other environmental needs. In July 2020 Charles celebrated 65 years of marriage to Roosevelt graduate Lorna (Borseth) Bastis and the landmark birthday of 90 years of age in August. He was a devoted parent to daughters Hilary Markley, Brenda Rodgers, and Rebecka DeCent. Besides enjoying family life, he kept his toolbox ready for home repairs for his family and others. He was an avid fisherman, hunter, gardener, and enjoyed all of nature’s gifts including canoeing on the Boundary waters. Throughout his life, he was an active church member. Charles is preceded by his parents Emil and Evelyn Bastis and brother Thomas Bastis (Ruth-Alison). Enduring family members and friends are his wife, Lorna; daughters Hilary Markley, Brenda Rodgers, and Rebecka DeCent (Son-in-law Darl), Philip Rodgers, Jr.; grandchildren, John Maxwell (Cynthia), Tristan Maxwell (Cynthia), Bret Markley, and Parker Rodgers; three great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and great-grand nieces and nephews. A private family service has been held. A celebration of Life will be held in the Summer of 2021. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Disabled American Vets or American Heart Association.