Don Bash, Louisville, KY

Don Bash, 78, of Louisville, KY, passed away on Wednesday, June 28th, at Baptist East Hospital. He was born on December 23rd, 1944, in Benkelman, Nebraska, one of two lively sons to the late Clinton and Hazel Bash.

He was raised on his family farm in St. Francis, Kansas. It was from watching crop dusters on this special farm where he discovered his passion for flying. He attended Kansas State University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture and later earned a Masters of Arts in Personnel Management from Central Michigan University. Upon graduating, he joined the United States Air Force in July 1967, graduating from Officers training school and receiving his wings in 1968. Don fought bravely in Vietnam until 1971, where he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and five air medals for aerial achievement during his combat tour. During his twenty-three year military career, he was one of three USAF officers selected to attend the Royal Air Force Staff College and reached the rank of Colonel before retiring in 1989. Don & his family moved to Louisville, KY after his military retirement where he finished his career as a UPS pilot.

Don fell in love with his wife Phyllis the moment he saw her, asked for her hand in marriage three months later & never left her side for the next fifty-seven years. His unwavering humility, dedication to his family and kind heart will live on forever in our memories. His family will always remember his infectious laugh, infamous pings, and that he will always be the true winner in the game of Life.

Don was a member of Middletown United Methodist Church and enjoyed spending his Sundays surrounded by family. He had a passion for the arts, most notably woodturning, playing the piano & painting. Don founded the Louisville Area Woodturners Association and you could find his unique handspun wooden bowls in art galleries throughout the country while his paintings gracefully adorn the walls of his family’s homes. Later in life, nothing brought him more joy than watching his three children & five grandchildren grow and prosper.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Jack (Ruth) Bash.

He is survived by his loving wife of fifty-seven years, Phyllis; children, Jennifer Bash, Sarah (Scott) Brian and Michael (Ashley) Bash; grandchildren Sawyer, Veda, Griffin, Bowen and Everly.