Stuart B. Basquin

Stuart B. “Stu” Basquin, 94, of Elkhart, died at home surrounded by family and friends on Friday, February 9, 2024.

Stuart was born on June 17, 1929, in Chicago, IL to the late Harold G. and Eugenia (Whittington) Basquin. Stu graduated from Amarillo High School in Texas in 1947 and then served in the U.S. Navy as a SEABEE. After his discharge, he enrolled at Northwestern University where he graduated in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science in business administration.

While in Chicago, in 1956, Stu married Gertrude “Trudy” Gaden, his best friend for 60 years. Trudy died January 4, 2017. Stuart met Trudy on a blind date. After a courtship of sailing Lake Michigan, they married, started a family, and moved to Elkhart. In the early years in Elkhart, Stu pursued his passion for water by sailing with the Eagle Lake Sailing Club and fishing various bodies of water. Water continued to be an important part of life, as they made their home on the St. Joseph River.

His first job after moving to Elkhart in 1959 was with Henry Weis Manufacturing Company in sales. He then took a position with Elkhart Products Corporation where he served as vice president of sales until his retirement in 1991. Stu was a member of St. David’s Episcopal Church where he taught Sunday school and served as a vestry member and leader. He served on the YMCA board and led YMCA youth programs. He umpired youth softball. Stu was a loyal Rotarian.

In his retirement, Stu took the opportunity to give back to the community. He was a member of the Elkhart Public Library Board of Trustees, involved with the CARES mentoring program for Elkhart Community Schools, a board member of the Salvation Army, and a member and past president of SCORE (Service Core of Retired Executives). He mentored for the Elkhart County Court Services juvenile probation program, receiving the Dr. Earl L. Kent Award in recognition of his outstanding performance and contribution to the juvenile probation department. He was an avid reader and enjoyed reading with elementary students through the Friends of the Library. There wasn’t a “Little Library” that he could pass by.

Stu and Trudy enjoyed travels to the U.S. Southwest and West Coast to visit friends and family. They enjoyed hiking the Texas Palo Duro Canyon and the mountains in Santa Fe. Locally, they hiked the county parks and the Wellfield Botanic Gardens. Stu and Trudy were strong supporters of local artists and the Midwest Museum of American Art.

Stu loved people and animals. He was a loving husband and father. He was kind, adventurous, compassionate, and expected good in others. Stu was a father figure and mentor to many. He never knew a stranger and opened his heart and home to all.

Surviving are sister, Eugenia Basquin Oglesby; son, Stuart B. (Blair) Basquin; three daughters: Elizabeth (Philip) Krause, Robyn (Timothy) Loughran, and Jacqueline (Paul) Miotto; eight grandchildren: Joseph (Hannah von Oldenburg), Katherine (Thomas Craddock), and Thomas Krause; Nicholas (Sydney), Peter, and Anne Loughran; Michael and Christopher Miotto.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2024, from 1:00 pm until the hour of the service at 2:00 pm, all at St. David’s Episcopal Church 26824 C. R. 4, Elkhart. The Rev. Robert Armidon will officiate. Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Stuart to the Wellfield Botanic Gardens 1011 N. Main St., Elkhart, IN 46514 or the Midwest Museum of American Art 429 S. Main St., Elkhart, IN 46516.

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