In the Line of Duty: Keith W. Bass

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, July 29 — Brother Keith W. Bass, a member of BLET Division 48 in St. Louis, Missouri, died on July 27 from injuries sustained in a crew van accident on July 26. He was 46 years old. 

A Union Pacific locomotive engineer, Brother Bass hired out in January of 2006 and earned promotion to locomotive engineer in February of 2008. He joined the BLET in June 2014.

Brother Bass and SMART-TD Members Matt Nichols and Zach Brannon were being transported back to Dupo, Illinois from Washington, Missouri, when the accident happened after 9 p.m. on July 26. Brother Bass passed away at around 7 a.m. the following morning from his injuries. Brothers Nichols and Brannon are recovering. 

Brother Bass was a veteran of the United States Navy. He was an active and involved BLET member, and was a participant in the BLET’s recent Town Hall meeting in St. Louis on May 11. Brother Bass is survived by his wife Amber and two children — Keeton, a college sophomore, and Delaney, a high school junior. Amber shared that Keith always had a smile on his face, always had a joke ready, and always had a story to share. 

The family will host a Celebration of Life on Friday, August 5, from 2:00-5:00 p.m. at the Mahn Funeral Home, DeSoto Office (900 North Main St., DeSoto, MO, 63020, phone: 636-586-2288). He will be buried with military honors immediately after the celebration. 

BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce said: “Brother Keith Bass was a dedicated and professional locomotive engineer who will be missed by all who knew him. On behalf of all men and women of the BLET, I extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Brother Bass.”