Richard Chester Bassett was born on July 29, 1946 in his Grandmother Ivea Fellers’ log home in Fellers Heights, B.C. He passed away peacefully on August, 28, 2013 in the Dawson Creek Hospital.
Richard was known as Rick by his family and friends. He was also known for a big sense of humor, teasing family and friends and pulling a number of harmless pranks on some unsuspecting individual.
Rick met Eileen Michel on the banks of the Kiskatinaw River when her family moved to the Peace.
On November 5th, 1966 they were married in the Killkerin Hall and spent the winter at Houston B.C. in the logging business. The next spring they returned to Dawson Creek and Rick went to work for Gerry Beattie, operating a Cat in land clearing around the area and Eileen cooked for Gerry the 2 man camp on the jobsite. In the fall of 1967, they moved back to Houston for logging, and Rick and Charley Bassett found winter work in Crescent Spur, B.C., near McBride. They rode the train from Houston to Crescent Spur, coming home on the week-ends.
Their daughter Ann Eileen, was born on December 18, 1967 and son Ben Richard the next year on February 16, 1969.
In the spring of 1969 Rick and family moved back to Dawson Creek and built a modest house in the lower yard area on his Mom and Charley’s place. In the spring of 1970 they bought a 8x33ft trailer and moved to McKenzie, B.C. where Rick ran a loader.
In 1971 Rick bought his first Cat, a D7, 17A from R. Angus and his first job for it was in Tupper. In 1972 he got his Cat on at the yard of Northwest Wood Preserves in Dawson Creek.
In 1972 Rick moved the modest house from his mom’s yard onto their own land, pulling it on skids up the road with a skidder.
During these years, Charley, Ken and Rick had started a company they called Bassett Logging and logged for Northwest Wood Preserves in the Dawson Creek Area.
Northwest Woods moved their headquarters to Chetwynd, and became Chetwynd Forest Industries. About 1978 Charley decided to retire, and Rick and Ken continued in the business in 1980 as Bassett Brothers Logging. This company later divided into two companies in the fall of 1988/89 and Rick’s company became B&R Bassett Logging, (with son Ben) and became a LTD Company in 1991.
A memorial service was held on Wednesday, September 4, 2013 at 3:00 pm at the Cutbank Hall. Pauline Haycock officiated, interment will be at a later date.
For friends so wishing, donations may be made in memory of Richard to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, Northern Alberta and the Territories 202-11227 Jasper Ave North West, Edmonton, Alberta T5K 0L5.
Very Respectfully Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium
For full obituary please visit www.reynars.com