“The funeral for Dr. Arden R. Basinger was a celebration of a long life, well lived. He passed away peacefully Tuesday evening, November 17, 1992 in his North Canton home. He was 100 years old. Dr. Basinger was eulogized by Pastor Jerry Sullivan of Community Christian Church as a man of wit and wisdom, love and kindness — one who shared and served. Longevity brought many accolades to this decent and good man. He was honored professionally with the presidency of the Stark County Medical Society. In 1990 the North Canton community acknowledged his longstanding interest in youth by including him in the first class of inductees in the Educational Hall of Distinction. The North Canton Rotary's Basinger Award encourages major contributions to the Rotary International Polio Plus program. He was named a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow. But the honor he most cherished was the nickname "Doc" bestowed on him by patients and friends. "Doc" hung out his shingle in 1927 in a small office on Main St. about where the North Canton YMCA now stands. He was fresh from Western Reserve School of Medicine and an internship and residency at Cleveland City Hospital. "Doc" practiced small town family medicine. He made house calls and knew his patients by their first names. Treatment for physical ailments was often accompanied by a sympathetic ear for other problems. Doc's dry humor and homespun philosophy endeared him to his patients. He estimated he delivered 1500 babies. After retirement in 1966, he devoted another 15 years to caring for the elderly at St. Luke's Lutheran Home for the Aged. He served in the Armed Cavalry in World War I. During World War II he performed inductee physicals in North Canton, earning the Selective Service Medal. Dr. Basinger was preceded in death by his wife, the former Margaret Pottorf. He is survived by daughter Barbara Wise of Hinckley, son David of Louisville, KY, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A full story was published under the byline of Dottie McGrew in the Nov. 25, 1992 edition of the North Canton (Ohio) Sun. This excerpt provided by F.A.G member #48739685.”


∼Husband of Margaret Winefred Pottorf Bassinger
Father of Jon Arden Bassinger, Barbara Bassinger Wise, David Bassinger