Robert Lee Bastian

Robert Lee “Bob” Bastian, 91, of Freeport, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. Born in Freeport, Illinois, to Oliver and Ruth Bastian, Bob spent his childhood on the family farm near Florence Station before moving with his family to German Valley and eventually settling in Freeport.

In his youth, he found joy in the lively atmosphere of dance halls and roller rinks, the camaraderie of fast-pitch softball, and memorable adventures across the Wisconsin border with friends. He married Helen Rogers on November 5, 1955, and together they built a life grounded in faith, love, and steadfast commitment to family. They raised five children—Julie, Vicki, Eric, Kurt, and Tina—in a home where loyalty and support were simply a way of life. Bob cherished his sons and remained a fierce protector of his daughters.

A builder in every sense, Bob began his career at Micro Switch, where he met Helen and advanced into leadership roles in plastics manufacturing. He later co-founded Pyramid Plastics, nurturing the company through hard work, long hours, and quiet determination. For Bob, success was never measured solely in business; as he often said, he did it all for the love of his family.

Even in retirement, Bob remained active and engaged. He and Helen enjoyed traveling together, and he found pleasure in golf, bowling, hunting trips with his sons, and cheering at local high school and college sporting events alongside his friend Joe. Above all, he delighted in supporting his grandchildren and great-grandchildren at their games, matches, and performances. A lifelong Chicago sports fan, particularly of the Cubs, he treasured summer days listening to WGN Radio broadcasts. He also savored simple pleasures such as morning coffee, evening sunsets, and the sounds of classic standards and polka music.

Bob lived by a few guiding principles: perseverance, loving one’s family, and releasing what cannot be controlled. He often said that the best thing a man can do for his children is to love their mother, and he embodied that belief through unwavering partnership and devotion. He will be remembered as a man of humility, quiet strength, and integrity who worked hard, kept his word, and built a legacy of love, resilience, and loyalty within his family.

He is survived by his children, Erick Haddad (Julie), Vicki (Greg) Shadle, Eric (Jackie) Bastian, Kurt (Beth) Bastian, and Tina (Bill Jacobs) Bastian; fifteen grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews he loved dearly.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Oliver and Ruth Bastian; his siblings, Mary (Albert) Johnson and Leonard (Janet) Bastian; his beloved wife, Helen Bastian; his daughter, Julie Haddad; and his grandson, Zandyr.