Bruce C. Bashore, 91, died peacefully on May 30, 2021, at Aspirus Hospice House in Wausau with his family at his side. He was born in Antwerp, Ohio on December 4, 1929, the son of J. Robert Bashore and Marjorie (Smith) Bashore. He is survived by his wife of forty years, Doreen; four sons: Cary Bashore, Merrill, D. Parr Bashore, Tucson, AZ, Grant Bashore, Maui, HI, and Mark (Katrina Crawford) Bashore, Seattle, WA; grandchildren: Charlie Bashore, Blanca Bashore, Colman Bashore, Torin Bashore, and Taroh Bashore. He is further survived by Doreen’s children: Marc Britten, Woodbury, MN, Andrea (Steve) Britten Mobley, McLean, VA, and Dana Britten, St. Paul, MN; and grandchildren: Jordann Britten, Max Mobley, and Henry Mobley; and a brother, Barry (Anne) Bashore, Maumee, OH. In addition to his parents, Bruce was predeceased by his brother, J. Robert Bashore, Jr.
Bruce graduated from Libby High School in Toledo, Ohio. After high school he attended Oberlin College on a full academic scholarship, and Oberlin School of Divinity, earning two master’s degrees in theology. He was ordained a minister in 1952 in Battle Creek, Michigan. In 1951 Bruce married Ann Wright in Waterville, Ohio. Together they had four sons, Cary, Parr, Grant, and Mark. They later divorced. In 1960, Bruce took his young family, consisting then of Ann and two sons, to Poona, India under the auspices of the United Church of Christ, where they lived for two years working closely with the village people. While there they welcomed their third son, Grant. Upon returning to the States, Bruce was a minister with the First Congregational Church in Battle Creek before moving his family to Wisconsin to be assistant minister at the First Unitarian Society of Madison. In 1972 Bruce entered the master’s program at the University of Wisconsin School of Social Work. During his studies there he worked at Mendota Mental Health Institute and became more interested in mental health work. While on the teaching staff he established an evening After Care program in Madison. In 1974 Bruce took a position as a psychiatric social worker with the Marathon County Health Care System – Merrill Branch where he stayed until his retirement. Throughout his life Bruce felt a strong need to help people and had a genuine interest in getting to know them. At the same time, he found being outdoors and close to nature to be his true contentment. Bruce was a man of varied interests. He wrote poetry, played the piano, liked to engage in conversation with anyone on any topic, and loved to cut paths through the woods observing all manner of nature he found there. He was a do-it-yourselfer, undaunted by any project large or small. As years passed and he was unable to do many of those things, he was still always appreciative of another day.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Wausau assisted the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com The family wishes to thank all who were involved in Bruce’s care including both the Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services At Home Hospice Team and everyone at Aspirus Hospice House. No formal service will be held.