Comments on: The Original Karl Bastian

By: r. westerterp

r. westerterp — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 18:09:32 +0000

my mother where Francisca Elizabeth Bastian.
Her father wher Germany.

By: grandma & grandpa

grandma & grandpa — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 02:12:59 +0000

Dear Karl: I’ve heard you tell the story before, but this is the first time I have had a chance to see it in writing and to see the picture of your great-grandfather.
All I can say it that it compares favorably to my story of being a sixth cousin of Abe Lincoln. My mother was Ruth M. Hanks and Lincoln’s mother was Nancy Hanks. The rest is that it is hard to be famous when your relative was already so famous.

Your father-in-law,

David Hanks Yount (as per my Philippine drivers license.

By: Ryan Frank

Ryan Frank — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 21:28:50 +0000

Karl,

Boy the memories flooded my mind when I read this blog post! It seems like just yesterday when you said we were taking a trip to Gas City and you refused to tell me why. I’ll never forget the look on those faces when you announced that you were Karl Bastian.

You are blessed to have such a great family heritage. See you soon in Nashville. Tell Sara hi for Beth and I.

RYAN

By: Aunt Linda

Aunt Linda — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 00:02:33 +0000

Hi Karl I really enjoyed it. What I couldn’t get over was how much Great Grandpa looked like Grandpa Ronald. (actually vice versa—I’d never seen a picture of Karl either)) Wow! I really loved your Grandpa and am sure I would’ve loved Karl, too! I love you! Run for Mayor!! Love Aunt Linda xoxo

By: kidologist

kidologist — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 21:57:15 +0000

UPDATE: I mailed a print out of this blog post to my Grandma, the wife of Karl C. Bastian’s son, this was her e-mail response: (she has e-mail but no Internet)

Dear Karl–What a WONDERFUL surprise, getting your story of Karl C. Bastian. Wish you could get it published. Too bad Grandpa is not here to see it. It brought laughter, and tears to my eyes and a lump in my throat.

The “C” stands for Clement. It must have been a family name long, long ago. Perhaps you would have liked being named that, but I love what you were named, after my beloved Firstborn.

You ought to have it published, but the only place I can think of is, as usual, Reader’s digest. Of course, there are other mags. It is beautifully written. I’m sure those people couldn’t believe their ears! Of course, it was eerie also.

Well–I can’t compliment enough. I don’t know what else to add to it, at this time. Great-Grandpa’s passing was a big shock and unbelievable at the time. You can imagine how hard it hit GRANDPA at the time. G-Granddad was one of those persons who always had to be where the action is.

Thank You So Much for going to all that trouble for me. That’s real love!

Much Love to You, too – GRAM

By: Brett

Brett — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 04:20:14 +0000

Great Story Karl!!

By: kidologist

kidologist — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:21:07 +0000

If you look carefully you can see Ryan in one of the pictures… taking the picture for me!

By: Jesse

Jesse — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 14:57:05 +0000

I went to Taylor U. in Upland, right around the corner from Gas City. I remember getting gas there for .69 cents a gallon back in ‘99. I also remember the “City of Gas City City Hall” sign on City Hall. They recently changed it, I believe, to “City Hall.” They have a nice little park with a mini-zoo. Oh the memories.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 12:36:44 +0000

Jordan I can totally see a family resemblance. I was thinking that as I was reading the story.

Thanks for sharing the story.

By: Dave T.

Dave T. — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 10:29:07 +0000

nice story Karl! And I can see why Ryan was stumped!!

By: Jordan Bastian

Jordan Bastian — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 08:58:39 +0000

That’s really cool. Believe it or not, your little brother Jordan Bastian had never heard the story of his Great Grandfather’s heroics in Gas City! I knew you were named after him, but I didn’t know you were born on his birthday or anything else about him. Thanks for the story. I think I can see a family resemblance, don’t you think?