ROBERT ARTHUR BASHAM was born in Bridgeton NJ September 28, 1935 and he died on February 15, 2018 at the Wiley Christian Retirement Community after a year of failing health. He grew up in a Nazarene parsonage, the youngest of four children. During his teen years he was a boy Scout and enjoyed many camping trips. Even while young it was evident that his career would be in music. As a child he made music by banging on the kitchen pots and pans with a wooden spoon. At Eastern Nazarene College he traveled several summers singing and playing the piano with a men's quartette. After transferring to Olivet Nazarene University he graduated with a major in piano. He has done additional studies in the Musical Institute of Washington DC. During the years that he taught music in the public schools he also served as the minister of music in several churches on the weekends. Three of his choir cantatas have been published and recorded by the Lillenas Publishing Company of Kansas City. In 1983, he became the organist at Wiley Church, a postion he held for 33 years, during which time he also gave private piano lessons. Bob was an avid chess player and he always enjoyed astronomy. He is survived by 2 daughters, Melody "Anne" Basham and Deborah K. Martin, 6 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, two sisters, Ruth Kale and Eunice Fink and one brother and his wife, Paul Basham and Joanne. He is the father in law of the late Gary Martin. Relatives and friends are invited to the viewing on Thursday from 10-11am at the Wiley Church 99 East Main St. Marlton where a Funeral Service will be held at 11am. Burial will be in the Darlington Cemetery, Darlington Maryland. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob's memory to the Wiley Mission 99 East Main St. Marlton NJ 08053 with 'Staff Appreciation' in the memo.

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