Alfred Heinrich Basel, 86, of Fort Scott, Kansas, 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 were later divorced. Later in life, he met and married Ernestine “Ernie” Mae (Bilyew) Lotterer on February 21, 1990, in Joplin, Missouri, and she preceded him in death June 29, 2006. Alfred later met Ernestina Plouvier who was a loving caregiver to Alfred’s wife Ernie before she died. Alfred and Ernestina married on November 12, 2008 and she survives of the home.
Alfred was a Sergeant First Class in the US Army as an Orthotic Specialist, making artificial limbs. He enlisted in 1958 and served 2 tours in Vietnam as part of a medical evacuation Battalion, honorably retiring after twenty-one years in 1979. He continued his skill of making orthotic devices for military veterans in San Antonio, Texas for several years. Later, he worked for Key Industries in Fort Scott as well as other area businesses. His love of people and travel was well known. For many years Alfred would travel to Germany around the time of his birthday and the Pentecost celebration.
He also enjoyed the many family reunions in Germany. Here in the States, Alfred joined Tex Crutcher and many others as part of the Citizens Bank “Funseekers” on many memorable trips over the years. He also enjoyed traveling seeing nature and historical sites such as Washington, DC. He particularly enjoyed the wineries in and around Hermann, Missouri. Alfred was known for giving rides to those that needed them. His most frequent passenger was Jake Underwood. Alfred also enjoyed singing. He found that song is the one thing that helped calm his wife Ernie when she suffered from Dementia. Later, Alfred and JT Knoll sang many times at the Sunset Manor in Frontenac for the residents there. That love of singing didn’t end there, he 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, Kansas, 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 10:00 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, Kansas, 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.
