Steve Roger Bast
December 25, 1951 - October 30, 2007
The following is from the Bast family...
This letter is to inform Cycle News of the passing away of modern day Speedway legend Steve Bast.
Steve Bast died October 30th at 1:00 p.m. due to complications of kidney failure and heart failure. Steve was 55 years of age and passed at Auburn Faith Hospital in Auburn California.
Just to name a few of Steve's motorcycle racing accomplishments he won the 50cc expert class at Corganville GP in 1965, Westlake Village GP 1967,68, and 69, Open 500cc and 200cc class, 175cc Elsinore GP 1970. His accomplishments went on to Speedway racing in 1970 when he was the first American to be a member of the British League Wembley Lions Speedway team. Steve was also the first American of post war to win the US Speedway championship in 1969 and on to repeat that championship in 1974. Included in his Speedway championships were 6 California State Championships. Steve was also among 6 members of the first American test team in 1972 to travel "down under" to Australia, New Zealand, Africa, Jerusalem, and Europe.
Steve was a true American Speedway icon and will be missed by many. He is survived by many family and friends who dearly loved him.
Steve's many speedway achievements include two U.S National Championship wins (1969 and 1973) six California State Championship wins (1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1974 and 1975).
He was a prominent scorer for the US team in USA vs The World events in 1974, 1975, 1976 and 1978. Our condolences go out his family.
SERVICES
There will be a memorial service and celebration of Steve's life on Sunday November 11th at noon. It will be in Auburn at Lou La Bonte's restaurant and family and friends are welcome. The restaurant is on the south frontage road by highway 80, just east of the Foresthill/Auburn Ravine exit.
Steve and Mike Bast
Photo by: Scott Daloisio Stssprts@aol.com
Auburn Journal Obituary
Steven Roger Bast passed away October 30th, after a brief illness.
Steve was born on Christmas Day, 1951, in Van Nuys, California, where he grew up, graduating from Birmingham High School in 1970. Steve was a world renowned motorcycle rider, beginning his racing career at the tender age of 11. He developed into a world class Speedway rider by his late teens. A few of his many racing accomplishments are; first postwar U.S. National Speedway Champion. He was the first American to race in England as a member of the British League, riding for the Wembley Lions. Steve was a member of the first American Test Team, touring and racing in Australia and New Zealand. Steve's major titles include 6 California State, and 2 U.S. National Championships.
Steve moved to Auburn in 1977, working as an accomplished metal fabricator in the family welding business. He loved to fish, work on motorcycles, and had a passion for gardening.
Steve was preceded in death by his stepmother Mary Bast. He is survived by his son Steve; daughter Aimee; father Homer; mother Margie Daniels; brothers Chuck and wife Laurie, Mike and wife DeeAnn, and James; sisters Pam and husband Mike, Jody and husband Ted, and Debbie. Steve had two grandchildren and many loving nieces and nephews.
Steve is remembered as a gentle soul, who was always willing to help his friends in any way he could. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Arrangements handled by Chapel of the Hills in Auburn.
A celebration of Steve's life will be held at Lou LaBonte's Restaurant, 13460 Lincoln Way, Auburn, on Sunday, Nov. 11, at 12 p.m. All Friends and family are invited.
To Plant Memorial Trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store.
Published in Gold Country Media Newspapers on Nov. 4, 2007.
MEMORIES & CONDOLENCES
November 15, 2007
To, The entire, Bast Family, My heart goes out to you all. Steve was a great race for me and all who experienced his talent. Thank you, for thirty years, and , many more great memories. Danny #7.
Danny McNeill
November 15, 2007
We we saddened by news that Steve passed away. Sorry we were unable to attend Steve's Life celabration as we in LA.
Hope your Heart's pain gets less heavy as time goes by.
Carlo & Emma Lujan
November 11, 2007
Homer and family,
I am truly sorry for your loss. I only saw Steve a few times at the shop but he seemed like the rest of the Bast family ready to cut-up and have fun.
Jim Bird
November 10, 2007
Steve,
You will be missed! My thoughts are with the family.
Don Lyons
November 10, 2007
Steve was loved so much and will be missed so much. Our sympathy to the entire Bast family. I set up a memory page for him on myspace please go there and join leave comments and upload pictures.
http://groups.myspace.com/SteveBast
With all our Love
Aunt Harriet and Uncle Roy and Family
Harriet and Roy Cravey
November 10, 2007
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL FRIENDS FAMILY NEIGHBORS FOR ALL THE CARDS LETTERS AND CALLS AND SIGNING THE GUEST BOOK PLUS WHO ALL CAME TO THE SERVICES ON SUNDAY FOR MY SON STEVE I KNOW THIS IS A LOSS TO ME AND ALL OF US HE WILL BE MISSED.
AGAIN THANK YOU ALL
HOMER BAST
HOMER BAST / AKA SPOTWELD
November 9, 2007
Uncle Steve... Can't wait to see you again in heaven!!!
Love, Dennette
Dennette Harper
November 9, 2007
We're really going to miss Steve. It was a real treat when he would pop into Trucksmart and say Hi. Had some great, fun times together.
Todd and Amy Brassfield
November 8, 2007
Although you have no idea who I am, nor does Steve, I want you to know that one of my greatest childhood memories, in the 70's, was going to Cal Expo to watch my favorite racer, Steve Bast, fly around the track. He was fearless and exciting and worked magic with his bike. I was just a single person in the crowd but I know there were thousands just like me that couldn't wait for weekends and Speedway at Cal Expo. I am sorry for your loss and thank Steve for some great childhood memories.
Kevin Anderson
November 8, 2007
TO HOMER AND FAMILY: SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. AN UNTIMELY PASSING OF A GOOD MAN. ALWAYS A SMILE AND A SENSE OF HUMOR. RALPH AND JAY ANNE NASE
RALPH AND JAY ANNE NASE
November 8, 2007
Homer, We are so sorry to hear about you loosing your son Steve. It isn't supposed to happen this way. We never met Steve, We just want to pass on to you are sorrow of Steves Passing. I'm sure you are so very proud of his accomplishments
Keep your chin up and remember all the good times you two had together.
Gary& Sue Barker
November 7, 2007
YOU WERE LIKE A FATHER TO ME, I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU. MAY YOU WALK IN FIELDS OF GOLD...
COURTNEY PORTLOCK
November 7, 2007
I am sure you will be missed by all of those you touched and you will always remain in our memories.
Russ & Shirley Manning
November 6, 2007
Steve,
Although we talked about it, we will go fishing together someday! You are loved and will be missed.
Mike Adrian
November 6, 2007
Steve,
For the few times I met you, it was always fun talking about the good 'ol days of speedway. You were always very nice to me and I'm glad I got to meet you.
Adam Ermolenko
November 6, 2007
To Uncle Steve,
It always brought a smile to my face when I knew I was going to see you, you always made me laugh and I love you. See you upstairs!!
Kari Dee Bast
November 6, 2007
Oh what a lucky, lucky girl I am to have had Steve Bast as my big brother! The pain of losing him is great, but the memories of the good times will get me through until I get to see him again in Heaven.
Pam Bast
November 6, 2007
Uncle Steve,
Thank you for being an inspiration in my business and in my passion for motorcycles. I miss you and look forward to riding along side you in Heaven. I love you.
Ryan Bast
November 6, 2007
I always enjoyed talking with Steve, he had a good sense of humor and a realistic look at life. He will be missed.
Dave Geschke
November 6, 2007
We will miss Steve for his good heart, his bigger than life entrances and his deep laugh, among many other things. Always a surprise!
Chuck & Laurie Bast
November 5, 2007
Steve, our loss is Heavens gain! See you again someday.
Connie Harper
November 5, 2007
Steve,
You were a kind man and a good friend to many people. Keith and I enjoyed the time we got to spend with you. Your smile will be missed. Love, Keith and Linda
Keith and Linda Martin
November 5, 2007
Steve,
We shed our tears for your loss, but at the same time a smile comes to our face as we picture you fishing the finest rivers of heaven and riding on those beautiful speedway tracks of gold.
We miss and love you,
Mike & Dee Ann Bast
November 5, 2007
Miss you Uncle Steve. Thanks for being a great uncle. See you in Heaven.
Shane Bast
November 5, 2007
VERY SAD TO HEAR OF THIS STEVE WAS A GOOD GUY ALL WAYS THERE TO HELP. WAS GOOD TO KNOW HIM THE TIME I DID. HOMER AND THE BAST FAMILY TAKE CARE.
THE BLOXHAM FAMILY/ BUDDY TERI +MY DAD BUD
Buddy Bloxham
November 5, 2007
Steve Bast...One of the greatest guys you could ever meet. Always a smile, usually with some type of joke or something funny said, to go along with it. We will miss him. Godspeed, Steve.
Brandon, Martha, Taylor, and Travis Hyers
Hyers Family
November 5, 2007
I felt like I'd been sucker-punched when I heard about Steve. He was like a brother. We went through alot of good&bad times together. We had all kinds of fun and somehow we never got arrested. We'll miss you Steve and want to extend our sincerest condolences to Stevie, Aimee, Homer and the rest of the Bast family.
Tom & Kathi Gardinier
November 4, 2007
Steve was a good person, something rare in this world. He was real. No pretense, I will miss him.
Ross Gardner
November 4, 2007
Steve touched many lives in a very positive way - the world lost a tender soul.
Ron Morrison
November 4, 2007
It won't be the same without you, Dad. I miss you already.
Steve Bast
November 4, 2007
Steve, What can I say, you made the world a better place. You went home too soon. I miss you.
I love you......
Margaret McBride
November 4, 2007
Steve was always a gentle man who never ran out of time to help others. He will always be remembered with a smile.
Mary Jo Smith
November 4, 2007
I was saddend to hear of Steves passing. I will keep all of you in my prayers. Mary Linthicum
Mary Linthicum
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