Alfred Heinrich Basel, 86, of Fort Scott, passed away early Monday morning, June 27, 2022, at the Girard Medical Center.
He was born June 3, 1936, in Hanau, Germany, the son of Otto and Elisabeth (Froschhauser) Basel. After moving to the United States as a young man, Alfred married his first wife, Brigitte, whom he met in Germany, and together they had a daughter, Sonja. Alfred and Brigitte ultimately ended the marriage. Later in life, he met Ernestine “Ernie” Mae (Bilyew) Lotterer, and on Feb. 21, 1990, they were married in Joplin, Missouri. She preceded him in death on June 29, 2006. Alfred then met Ernestina Plouvier, who had been a loving caregiver to Alfred’s wife Ernie before she passed. Alfred and Ernestina wed on Nov. 12, 2008. She survives of the home.
Alfred was a Sergeant First Class of the United States Army, serving as an Orthotic Specialist making artificial limbs. He enlisted in 1958 and served two tours in Vietnam as part of a medical evacuation battalion before honorably retiring in 1979 after 21 years. Alfred then continued his skill of making orthotic devices for veterans in San Antonio, Texas, for several years. Later, he worked for Key Industries in Fort Scott and other area businesses.
His love of people and travel was well known. For many years Alfred would travel to Germany around his birthday and the Pentecost celebration. He also enjoyed many family reunions in Germany. Here in the States, Alfred joined Tex Crutcher and others as part of the Citizens Bank “Funseekers” on many memorable trips. He also enjoyed seeing nature, and visiting historical sites such as Washington, D.C. He particularly enjoyed the wineries in and around Hermann, Missouri. He was known for giving rides to those that needed them. His most frequent passenger was Jake Underwood. Alfred also enjoyed singing. He found song was the one thing that helped calm his wife, Ernie when she suffered from dementia. Alfred and J.T. Knoll sang many times at Sunset Manor in Frontenac for the residents there. He also joined the Uniontown United Methodist Church, where he regularly sang for the congregation.
Survivors include his wife, Ernestina, of the home; his daughter, Sonja Basel, of Ludwigsburg, Germany; granddaughter, Lynn, also of Ludwigsburg; step-daughter, Shelly Minton (Phil) of Pittsburg; and step-son, Jay Lotterer (Crystal) also of Pittsburg; a sister, Gisella and her family of Germany; and other relatives in Germany. In addition to his wife Ernie, he was also preceded in death by his parents and two step-sons, Steven Lotterer and Jeff Lotterer.
Rev. Carl K. Ellis will conduct funeral services at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 6, 2022, at the Uniontown United Methodist Church, with burial following at the Mt. Orum Cemetery in Redfield, Kansas, under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to The Wounded Warriors Project and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, KS, 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.
