CLAREMONT, NH– Arthur Gale Bastian was born January 28,1938 in Concord, NH to Arthur Thomas Bastian and Barbara Ellen Straw. He was raised in Claremont, NH on Chestnut Street Extension on a small family farm, along with his younger brothers Ronald (Tom), Russell and Brian where he learned about and worked to take care of milk cows and other farm animals. Life on the farm consisted of chores, gardening, haying, machine repair, carpentry, and many other skills. He also grew a passion for fishing and hunting and knew the surrounding woods and streams like the back of his hand. There were many a tale of all the shenanigans he and his brothers had as kids growing up. Too many to share here but if you were a friend of Art’s, you know at least one, or a few, of those stories that will make you smile when you remember him.
After graduating from Steven’s High School 1956, “Gale” signed up for the Army and served as a Specialist Fourth Class with Company A, 385th Military Police Battalion, Stuttgart, Germany. It was in Germany he learned his policing skills as a Military Police Officer and initiated his life-long career path in law enforcement. It was in Germany that he also met and fell in love with his wife of nearly 60 years, Ursula Gerda Ruppel. He also developed a love for a good German ale and Ursula’s cooking! Arthur was a loving husband and father, teaching his children, David and Angela, almost everything he knew. Thank you, Dad, your wisdom will not be forgotten.
Arthur worked hard to establish himself in the Claremont community upon his return to the U.S. working several jobs before being hired as a police officer on the Claremont Police Department. He worked up through the ranks to Sargeant, to Detective Captain, to Acting Chief. A portion of his career was spent as the Sullivan County Sherriff. Arthur was later hired as Chief of Police for the Newport Police Department where he worked until his retirement in 1992. He went on to contract his services as Acting Chief for a couple of NH communities. Arthur was a man of integrity, good humor, intelligent, and caring man who loved his community and gave selflessly to protect and serve. He was also quite strong and imposing. A friend, Craig Sandler, Chief of Nashua, NH said that Arthur was the only person in his life that he could not beat at arm wrestling. Arthur solved many crimes, and many people benefited from his service throughout those years. While he was proud of his accomplishments, there remained some haunting cases he would recount over the years that never left his mind or his heart. Some of his notable achievements were attending and graduating from the FBI Academy in 1973 and serving on the N.H. Chiefs of Police Association as board member and as President. Arthur was admired by his peers across the state of New Hampshire in both local and state police departments. He made many great friends throughout his career. Art shared great jokes, rounds of golf, hunting or fishing outings, special events and summer gatherings at his house to entertain. His wife Ursula could put on a buffet and BBQ like no other! Great fun.
Aside from his police career, Art had a variety of other personal interests, one of which was logging. He loved being in the woods and driving and working his 1962 Timberjack 200 (formerly his father’s) which was a classic and hauled loads of huge logs from the woods. He was meticulous in managing his wood lot or when helping customers with theirs. He knew how to fell a tree with precision and ease. Timber!!!
He also continued to garden down at the farm, with permission of the new owners, growing potatoes, squash, corn, cabbages, tomatoes, and other vegetables. Some were saved for family, but the majority was distributed to neighbors and even the senior housing in Claremont. Arthur had a heart of gold. He spent much of his time looking out for his family, friends and neighbors and volunteered for various organizations throughout the last 30 years. He truly was all about giving to others.
Arthur developed progressive dementia/Alzheimer’s over the last several years. Thank you to all of those who helped support us through this long journey. There were many good days for which we are forever thankful.
Arthur leaves behind his daughter, Angela Bastian and her partner Joe Mongeon, his beloved granddaughter, Kimberly Thompson with whom he shared a special bond, and her husband Kyle and three great grandchildren he loved immensely, Jillian, Wesley (Arthur) and Katie, his beloved granddaughter Jessica Peterson and husband Zach, and beautiful great granddaughter, Elowyn, who gave him much to smile about this past year. Brother Russell and wife Mary Lou, Brother Brian, predeceased by Brother Ronald (Tom), Daughter in-laws, Jan Bastian, and Jan Patton. Cousin David Bastian and wife Judy, and many nieces and nephews. Dear friends Larry and Maureen Gelo, Anne Barton, Rock Allard, Tim and Kim Bergeron, Wayne Thalasinos (thank you for all your support and prayers), Dick George, Russ Lary, and many other remaining friends from the NH Chiefs of Police Association and elsewhere. Art was predeceased by his loving wife Ursula Gerda Ruppel in 2018, and son David Lee Bastian in 1999. Art really knew everybody in his day and always had positive words for all or a fabulous story to tell. Art succumbed to his illness on 1/15/2025, just shy of his 87th birthday. We will miss him dearly and always keep him in our hearts. May he rest in peace.
In lieu of flowers, please send a contribution on Arthur’s behalf to the N.H. Chiefs of Police Association on the web at https://www.nhchiefsofpolice.com/home/pages/ways-support-us
Or by mail to NHACOP, One Municipal Drive, Derry, NH 03038.
Or to the Alzheimer’s Association https://act.alz.org/site/TR/Events/Tributes-AlzheimersChampions?pg=fund&fr_id=1060&pxfid=933498
A tribute page in Arthur’s memory.
There will be a celebration of life in the spring at Contoocook, NH cemetery. Date and Time to be announced later. We will get the word out.