Thomas E. Bastis was known for his vision to make things happen. Ameron leader provided
vision in business dealsTHOMAS E. BASTIS / 1928-2001
OBITUARIES
By Kelliann Shimote
kshimote@starbulletin.comNot only was he a president for cement company Ameron HC & D -- now called Ameron Hawaii -- but he also helped design Hawaii's first snowmobiles in 1973.
Bastis died Sept. 1. He was 73.
The Minneapolis-born Bastis first entered the concrete construction business in 1977 as a vice president for the Ameron branch on Maui. He was promoted to senior vice president of sales and marketing in 1978.
He moved to Honolulu in 1979 and was named president in 1982. He retired in 1996.
"He was truly a visionary on what we should be doing," said Francis "Shorty" Kuhn, general manager at Island Ready-Mix Concrete.
"What I remember the most is, when he bought our company (in 1989), he bent over backwards ... to make a very smooth transition. He was a very caring person."
He is survived by wife Ruth; sons Jonathan, Mark and David; mother Evelyn; brother Charles; and four grandchildren.
A memorial service is planned for noon today at the Church of the Holy Nativity at 5286 Kalanianaole Hwy. The family requests casual attire.