Dr. James Bastron , 94, a resident of Charter House, passed away there Thursday, August 14, 2014.

Born May 13, 1920 in Ottumwa, Iowa, the son of Dr. Alexander and Grayce (Katsch) Bastron, Dr. Bastron received his B.A. degree in 1942 and his M.D. degree in 1964 both from the State University of iowa, Iowa City. He interned at Wesley Memorial Hospital in Chicago, one year before being called to active duty with the United States Army in 1945. He attained the rank of captain in the Army and served to the end of World War 11 and was also called into active duty serving as a medical officer a short time in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. He completed his residency in pathology at Columbia University in New York and completed the program in 1948.

He came to the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine in 1948 as a fellow in surgery, later transferring to neurology.

He was named an assistant to the staff at Mayo in 1951. Returning to Mayo after serving in the Air Force in 1954 as a consultant in neurology, and in 1966 received an M.S. degree from the University of Minnesota for work done during his residency program.

Dr. Bastron was an instructor in the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine from 1956-67 and advanced to assistant professor of neurology in 1973. Throughout his career with Mayo Clinic he maintained an interest in electromyography, and EMG findings in multiple sclerosis patients.

He is past president of the American Association of Electromyography and electrodiagnosis and served that organization as secretary-treasurer, program chairman and in 1984 was amember of its long range planning committee. Following his retirement with Mayo clinic rochester, he became medical director of the U.S. Bureau of Prisons' Federal Medical Center in Rochester and also worked during the winter months in Jacksonville, for Mayo Clinic-Florida, prior to his final retirement.

His personal interest included fishing, gardening and enjoying nature and the outdoors. He enjoyed playing golf and started playing in high school and played the game well into his 80's. He was an avid Iowa Haweye fan, and he enjoyed reading history and traveling throughout the world over the years.

On Sept 1, 1945 , in Red Oak Iowa, he married his wife and she survives him as do 3 children, one son, 5 grandchildren, one sister.

He is preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Robert.

Memorial services for Dr. Bastron will be held at 11 AM Thursday Auguat 21, at First Presbyterian Curch, 512 Third St. S.W. Rochester with visitation one hour prior to services at the church. His remains will be entombed in the Columbarium at the First Presbyterian Church.

Published in The Post-Bulletin on August 16, 2014