Family, friends, administrators, faculty, staff, students, former students, and parents gathered today to honor the career of a man who, for most of his life, has called Missouri School for the Deaf his home. As a student and then for 35 years as an administrator, Tom Bastean has become synonymous with the school. Many individuals refer to him as “Mr. MSD”.
I remember the time my wife and I brought our son to visit MSD. Mr. Bastean was the first person that we met. I was so impressed by the way he stuck out his hand to greet us with a smile on his face. When we returned for the new parent orientation later that summer, once again there was Tom, grabbing my hand and patting me on the back. Although I never knew if he remembered me, it didn’t matter, because I felt as if he did. Tom just had a way of making you feel at ease.
Through these past ten years I have had the pleasure of attending several events at MSD, and seeing how Tom interacted with the students. It was very clear that he loved them. It was also evident that they loved “Bastean” (as my son called him). How could they not, his laughter and his stories were just so darn infectious. He made them feel important, and as he did so often with my son, told them to never give up. His life and career were a testament to what they could accomplish if they only believed.
It’s sad to think that Mr. Bastean is retiring. He has been a great advocate and friend to students and parents. However, as I hear it, he may not really be going away. He has been offered a desk in the museum. How fitting, for a man that has been a big part of the school’s history.
I remember the time my wife and I brought our son to visit MSD. Mr. Bastean was the first person that we met. I was so impressed by the way he stuck out his hand to greet us with a smile on his face. When we returned for the new parent orientation later that summer, once again there was Tom, grabbing my hand and patting me on the back. Although I never knew if he remembered me, it didn’t matter, because I felt as if he did. Tom just had a way of making you feel at ease.
Through these past ten years I have had the pleasure of attending several events at MSD, and seeing how Tom interacted with the students. It was very clear that he loved them. It was also evident that they loved “Bastean” (as my son called him). How could they not, his laughter and his stories were just so darn infectious. He made them feel important, and as he did so often with my son, told them to never give up. His life and career were a testament to what they could accomplish if they only believed.
It’s sad to think that Mr. Bastean is retiring. He has been a great advocate and friend to students and parents. However, as I hear it, he may not really be going away. He has been offered a desk in the museum. How fitting, for a man that has been a big part of the school’s history.
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