Gordon Bassett

Gordon C. Bassett, US Army Major (Ret.) died peacefully on Nov. 23, 2011 at age 78. A native of Minnesota, Gordon was assigned to Ft. Carson in 1971 and made Colorado Springs his permanent home upon retirement.

Gordon was the last male descendant of a long line of Bassetts who contributed to building the country he loved -- from agitators in the Revolutionary War and defenders of the Union in the Civil War to influencers in the commercialization of air travel.

He was an active member of the National Railroad Historical Society; the Colorado Midland Chapter; the Pikes Peak Posse of the Westerners; Denver Westerners and the National Association of Railroad Passengers. Gordon was a generous supporter of local arts, including The Colorado Springs Philharmonic and the Colorado Railroad Museum.

An avid historian, especially of the role of rail transportation in everyday life and commerce, Gordon was a respected authority on passenger trains in the West in the mid 20th century. In 2009, the Santa Fe Railway Historical and Modeling Society awarded Gordon its first lifetime achievement award for his contributions to building a sustainable and vibrant organization.

Gordon is survived by his second wife, Carolyn Bassett; daughters Susan Bassett and Mary Lekarczyk and son-in-law Mark Lekarczyk.

Mother, Nancy; father, Gordon; brother, Charles and first wife Geraldine, preceded him in death.

A Celebration of life service will be held Thursday, November 1, 2011 at 11:00 a.m., St. George’s Anglican Church, 217 E. Pikes Peak Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado.