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It is with much sadness that we inform all of you that Rael Bassan, a founding board member of the Illinois Renewable Energy Association, passed away the week of August 4th, 2008.

When Rael failed to show up at this year's fair we wondered what could possibly have kept him from coming - it was so uncharacteristic of him. His good friends, Judy and Jack Speer, noticed that he was scheduled to present, and when they could not locate him, they and Susan Swing stepped in to cover for him.

Jack emailed him the Monday after the fair to let him know how well the workshop, “Does spirituality need to change for sustainability” went on Sunday, but he was already gone.

Something like this hits our organization deeply. We are not just an organization, we are also friends who have a strong commitment to our shared values and goals. When we all come together at the fair it is a celebration.

Rael was very active in renewable energy and sustainability, but his primary area of interest was permaculture. He was the coordinator for Chicago Urban Permaculture, and his efforts went towards having the applications of permaculture help to create a sustainable and peaceful culture.

If you have a memory or story about Rael you would like to share, please email us with it. Thank you.

Rael came out to visit us at small waters and participate in an eco tour. We had a pot luck dinner and everyone was supposed to bring something. Rael showed up with nothing. I was a little disappointed and gave him a gentle reminder that he was supposed to bring something. He disappeared for about an hour but when he came back he had a whole sack of stuff with him including a huge chicken of the woods mushroom, lambs quarters and all kinds of wild edible plants. He pulled out saucepans and pots and cooked up enough to feed 20 people. Everyone gathered around him and watched with amazement. Mmmmm was it good! The finest chef in the world couldn't have done better.

I would compare Rael to a volcano in that he was constantly spewing out ideas and possibilities. During long car trips he would sometimes drive me crazy because his energy would wear me out. One time we were driving back from an event on the interstate and he said turn off the next ramp. I asked why? He said the Paw-Paws must be ripe. He remembered a spot where Paw-Paws were planted about ten years before. We drove around in circles till we found it - a grove of Paw-Paw trees dropping their fruit. We filled two shopping bags of fruit and our tummies. What a day!

When I first started with the IREA organization, Rael was an enthusiastic supporter and volunteer. Rael not owning a car, I offered him rides to the energy fairs. 3 to 4 hours inside a car gets you a little time to get to know them.

One particular example he gave of his exploration when he was a kid. He told me how to make a rocket with a matchstick and aluminum foil. Wrap the foil around the match with a small hole at one end. Take a lighter or another match and light the match inside the foil.

I was impressed by how he could live on so little. No car, no refrigerator. Yet he would make it to the energy fairs, with all the enthusiasm to eagerly learn more and new things.

I was saddened when I heard Rael was no longer with us. I only saw him a few times a year, but each time it felt as if he’d been around the whole time. He had such a positive sense of possibility about him, and so many ideas and information that he was eager to share.

The last time we met up was last June at the MREA Fair. He showed up on Saturday enthusiastic and eager to help us staff the IREA booth. Having him there helped make the day enjoyable. He not only addressed the topics posed to him by the visitors to our booth, but he also asked questions, sought out information and shared ideas. He was simply intent upon working at making the world a better place.

I think that Linda best expressed the essence of Rael so eloquently in her post. There was something in his smile and his manner that just made him so endearing… and the depth of his soul and his quest for knowledge seemed limitless.

Marvin I. Bassan, passed away last week from natural causes. He is survived by his children Brian, Bonnie and Daric. A memorial service will be held at the Northpark Nature Center at a later date. Arrangements by Cremation Society of Illinois. Info 800-622-8358.

Rael was completely devoted to making the world a better place. He encouraged and inspired us all. He walked the walk. He was a kind, sweet guy. He will be sorely missed.

Karen Sholl

Blessed Be! To a good friend & great man! The circle is diminished! Hail Eris!

Jef

I first had the pleasure of meeting Rael almost 14 years ago when he shared some weighty observations with me at a gathering at Konak's. In the years since, we we'd often find ourselves on similar wavelengths when we ran into each other, and I greatly respect the paths he walked. While I counted him as a friend, I wish I could say that I knew him better. As others that have gone before, he'll be fondly remembered and greatly missed.

Daniel E.

You would be hard pressed to find an individual more dedicated to the environment, to the planet and to the hope for a brighter future than Rael Bassan. He was an activist for certain, the type of man who threw himself fully into whatever endeavor he thought might advance the cause of justice and balance on the planet. But he was more than an activist, he was a presence. His energy and spirit could be found at almost any major earth friendly or humanity connecting event in the Chicago area. And when he could get a ride, you'd also find him out in the farther reaches of Illinois and throughout the midwest.

Whether Rael was involved in Permaculture, Fungi, Earth Charter, Deep Ecology, Natural Building, Cosmology or any of his many passions, he brought a sense of what's possible. Instead of sitting back on the sidelines he put himself out there, holding the space for even a single individual with an open mind with whom he could share his knowledge. Instead of getting dark with despair as so many activists become, he always seemed to maintain a sense of optimism and a belief that we really could turn this thing around.

I worked with Rael for six or seven years on the Earth Charter Chicago although I met him some years earlier. He was at a meeting with a group of people in Chicago that were considering putting an ecovillage type of community together. It's hard not to remember Rael once you've met him... his wild hair, his 'message' t-shirts and always a backpack of 'stuff'. And he often looked quite serious. However if you looked into his eyes, you could see deep into the soul of a man with a huge heart. At times he would engage animatedly with his whole body, especially when he was trying to make a point about something he was passionate about. Other times, in his laughter you would think you were with a child and forget for a moment the seriousness of the day.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that he did take life very seriously, and in that he forged through his 'work' like a soldier... but he always... always... continued to believe that what he did would make a difference... create a better planet. And I want to honor that in him. He brought more to his quest for change in any single season than most humans on this planet will do in their entire lifetime.

I will truly miss Rael, and I know his spirit will be in my heart at any world minded event I attend for a very long time. I'll have to stop myself from looking for him posted at a literature table or wandering among the people.

I know the earth community will feel the loss of him, but I'm confident he will be spilling out upon the universe his own special Rael stardust as he returns to that place from which he, and all of us, have come.

Namaste Rael... my friend... and blessings on your journey.

Linda Osborn