Robert 'Bob" C Bast

Robert 'Bob' C. Bast, 89, of Freeport died Saturday in Manor Court of Freeport. Bob was born on August 16, 1922, in Freeport, the son of Robert C. and Gladys (Hanna) Bast Sr. Bob was a graduate of Freeport High School. Bob married Elizabeth 'Betty' Palmer on June 15, 1947. He was a member of the U.S. Army Air Force and was stationed in Texas. After his discharge, he and his wife Betty lived at Winona Lake, Indiana where Bob taught missionaries to fly small aircraft, along with flying charters for Carlisle Charter Aviation out of Warsaw Indiana Airport. Bob was a salesman for the House of Lindberg for many years before becoming Furnitrue and Carpet Manager at Sears. Bob was Freeport City Alderman for the 1st Ward for 5 years, Bob was a member of many groups and organizations including; First Presbyterian Church, Freeport Camera Club, Germania Club, Excelsior Lodge 97, Freeport Charter 39, Freeport Council 23, Prior 11, Order of the Red Cross of Constantine, York Rite Blackhawk College 88, Holder of the Purple Cross, Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Freeport, Past Thrice Potent Master, 33rd Degree in 1996, Capernaum Shrine 4, Order of the White Shrine Jerusalem. Tracy O'Gallaway Council Night Masons, Order of the Amaranth 15 of Wisconsin; Grand Royal Patron; 1999. He served as past presiding officer of all the above. He was a member of the Rockford Tebala Shrine and a Potentates Aid for 10 years, along with being on the Shiners'™ Transport Team. Bob and his wife, Betty, transported area children for medical assistance to the Shriners Hospital in Chicago for many years. He was also a member of Freeport Shrine Club and the T-Ten'™s. He really loved driving mini-model T, and participating in area parades. He was also a Past Commander of Am vets Post #32. Bob was extremely handy with tools and could fix anything. He was an accomplished amateur photographer, and while in High School and working at Rawleigh'™s print shop W.T. Rawleigh asked him to take a picture of his home. That photograph was used by W.T. for his Christmas Card. He enjoyed traveling, camping, and fishing, and especially looked forward to family times spent at Fence and Buffalo Lakes in the Minocqua, Wisconsin area. It was there the Bast family met lifelong friends with whom they have shared many special fun times. Bob was a quiet man but he had a very kind heart and he would do anything to help someone in need. Survivors include; wife Elizabeth (Betty) Bast, son; David (Jean) Bast, daughters; Janet Winter and Barbara McAllister, grandchildren; Amy (Greg) Sukolowsky, Robert Bast, Bryan Bast and Justin Bast. Preceded in death by his parents, granddaughter, Heather Marie Bast, sons-in-law; David Winter and Allen McAllister. As Bob requested cremation rites have been accorded. Memorial services will be 1:30 P.M. Thursday, August 25, 2011 in Burke Tubbs Funeral Home with Rev. Kathleen Luke officiating. Visitation will be from noon until the time of service at Burke Tubbs. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established for Shiners Hospital for Children in Bob'™s memory. The family would like to send a special thanks to the staff of Manor Court and Hawthorne Inn at Liberty Village where Bob & Betty have resided for the last few years, as well as the FHN Hospice Team, for their excellent care and professionalism in caring for Dad along with their kindness and support to our family. Please visit www.burketubbs.com to sign the online guestbook.