Stephen Bassford

Obituary of Stephen Louis Bassford

Stephen Louis Bassford of Hilton Head, South Carolina, died on February 20, 2021.  His loving wife Patricia was beside and ever with him in these final days.

Steve was the only child of Robert Henry Bassford and Agnes Kohler Bassford.  He grew up in Brandywine, Maryland, just south of Washington, DC.  He graduated from Gwynn Park High School as the Valedictorian of his class and as President of this senior class.  Subsequently, he graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, and went on to earn an MBA from the University’s Robert Smith School of Business. 

He is survived by his wife Patricia and his son (by an earlier marriage), Scott Louis Bassford of Iowa, Scott’s wife Lisa Lantz, and their sons Van and Gray Bassford; Patricia’s sons, Richard and Robert Brooke whom he called his “bonus sons” and sister-in-law Nancy Porter and her husband Stephen. He became the favorite “Uncle” of Karen, Ken, and Kevin Diebold, as well as of Michele Hazel and Kimberly Statzman, Patricia’s nieces.  There are also dear friends that he would wish to acknowledge and have remembered.  These are John and Lucille, Bunky, and Edie Wilson, life-long friends from the old days in Maryland. After marrying Patricia in 2017 he became very fond of her 96-year-old Uncle Charlie.

After an early career in banking, Steve went on to become a partner in the firm of L.E. Peabody and Associates of Arlington, Virginia, involving him in the transit industries and ultimately forming his own company, S.L. Bassford and Associates, LLC.

He was recognized for his expertise in transit matters and for his knowledge of the Maryland Department of Transportation and the Maryland Transit Authority and associated passenger and freight services and initiatives. He was described as fulfilling a vital role as the MTA’s “institutional memory”.  He was involved in the very first commuter rail subsidy agreement and provided ample assistance before the development of any formal rail and freight system in Maryland. Steve provided similar services to the predecessor of the Delaware Transit Corporation.

He clearly loved his work and devoted much time and effort to it. Nor did he neglect his community. Steve served as an officer on his church board and worked with other civic organizations. He was president of the Board of Directors of the museum in Salisbury, Maryland, and an officer of the Corvette Club of Alexandria, Virginia. He helped with church festivities and with organizations such as BackPack Buddies and was always available to his friends and family, such as going to Iowa to assist in his son’s business. Until his retirement to Hilton Head, he administered a family beach home in Duck, North Carolina, a center for entertainment and vacation for family and friends.

Involved in transit as he was, Steve aptly enjoyed travel, both domestic and international. He particularly relished cruise ships, ranging from the classic liner Queen Elizabeth II to Viking Cruise ships and much in between. He loved the finer touches of travel and with his finely tuned knowledge of the nuances of great ships and grand hotels was well able to arrange an excellent travel experience.

He and Patricia met as neighbors on Hilton Head. A year after the death of Patricia’s husband they began stepping out together, enjoying a warm relationship. As part of their travels, they were married in Las Vegas, Nevada, and traveled extensively. Patricia (a name Steve loved, though often he reverted to “sweetie” and “sweetness” as endearments) was with Steve throughout his final illness and she sorely misses him.

Steve’s favorite holiday was birthdays. As a commemoration for the family and friends of Steve, Patricia organized a celebration of his birthday on May 15, 2021. His cremated remains will be inurned in the columbarium at Christ Lutheran Church on Hilton Head Island at a later date.

A Memorial Tree was planted for Stephen
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at The Island Funeral Home & Crematory
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