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- The Oregonian
Tuesday, December 2, 2003
Dr. John Washington Bassett
(Picture included)
Dr. John Washington Bassett died peacefully in the presence of his loving wife, Kitty; son, John; and two daughters, Cindy and Katie on November 27, 2003.
The child of two school teachers, Dr. Bassett was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, on December 16, 1920. As a young man he received his B.S. from the University of Arkansas in 1942 and later, in 1944, his M.D. from Tulane University. His internship was spent at Philadelphia General Hospital. Dr. Bassett served our country first in 1945-1946 as a general surgeon in the United States Navy and again on the United States Navy Hospital ship Consolation in 1952-1954. Following World War II, he was an instructor of pharmacology and physiology at Tulane University before becoming Assistant Resident Surgeon at Barnes Hospital, Washington University, in St. Louis, Missouri, from 1947-1950. Dr. Bassett earned a Fulbright Scholarship to the University of London, Hammersmith Hospital, from 1950-1951 and then a post as chief Resident Surgeon at the United States Veteran Administration Hospital in Aspinwall, Virginia and the University of Pittsburgh in 1951-1952. In 1952 he was elected a Diplomate of the American Board of Surgery as well as a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
After marrying his treasured Kitty in 1954, they made their home in Portland. Dr. Bassett began a private practice in surgery which he maintained from 1954-1983.
Following retiring from private practice in 1980, Dr. Bassett practiced part time at the Vancouver Clinic in Vancouver, Washington. Dr. Bassett also became an Associate Professor of Clinical Surgery at the University of Oregon and was a member of the Portland Surgical Society, the Oregon Medical Society, the Northwest Proctology Society and the American Medical Association, Phi Beta Kappa, Alpha Omega Alpha, Medical Honor Society and Nu Sigma Nu Medical Fraternity.
The successes of Dr. Bassett were far from exclusive to those of his medical accomplishments. We remember him not only for the respect he earned from these but also for the love he poured unconditionally upon all those close to him. The honored title of "doctor" was accompanied by many others which equally defined him; fisherman, huntsman, painter, teacher, scholar, accomplished musician and composer, mentor, gardener, carpenter, prankster, and cherished friend to many. Most of all we remember Dr. Bassett as our unconditionally loving father and extraordinary grandfather. The teachings and special moments with him echo in his eternal laughter.
Dr. John W. Bassett is survived by his devoted wife, Katherine; his dear brother, Leonard; son, John W. Bassett, and daughters, Cynthia Bassett Larsen and Katherine Bassett Burke. He welcomed their spouses, Lillian, Robert and James into the family as his own. He also leaves behind eleven grandchildren whom he cherished equally and personally from each birth; James, Raymond, Anna, John, Charlotte, Eva, Eliza, Gwendolyn, John, Amelia and William.
A small service was held on November 29 by his close family to honor a fine gentleman and remember his blessed life. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the charitable organization of your choosing.
1930 Federal Census of Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas (5 Apr 1930)
Leonard E. Bassett - 45 - M - MD-MD-MD - Head - Superintendent Oil Corp.
Anna - 39 - F - TX-VA-TX - Wife - Librarian Public School
L. Flournoy - 13 - M - AR-MD-TX - Son
John W. - 9 - M - AR-MD-TX - Son
(Living at 1718 Linden Street)
(Married at 30 & 24)
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Bassett Family Association Database
1920 - 2003 (82 years)