Dr. Asit P. Basu

Urbana - Dr. Asit P. Basu, 80, of Urbana passed away at 3:56 AM on Friday, May 20, 2016 at his home. He was born on July 14, 1935 in Chandannagar, India to Achinta Prosad Bose and Radharani (Gosh) Bose. He married Manju Dey on August 9, 1971 in Charleston, IL. She survives. Also surviving are a daughter, Mausumi (Brandon Haist) Basu of Savoy; a brother and a sister, both of India; several nieces and nephews of India, and two nephews of Australia. He was preceded in death by two brothers, four sisters, and his parents. Dr. Basu was a General Surgeon and will be remembered by those who knew him for his kind and caring bedside manner. He began his medical career in Calcutta, India at the R.G. Karr College Hospital, followed by the Mayo Hospital, where he served as an intern and a surgeon. When he arrived in the US, Dr. Basu again served an internship in Danbury, CT before moving to the Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C., where he began his stateside career as a General Surgeon. He then moved to Charleston, IL where he worked both at the Mattoon Hospital and the Charleston Community Hospital before they merged, at which time he helped found Sarah Bush Lincoln. He spent many years there until his retirement, although he kept doing what he loved by acting as a Physician Consultant for Dr. McNeil's office. Dr. Basu was an avid gardener, was a Smithsonian trained photographer, loved science and museums, and enjoyed traveling. He had a passion for knowledge and always was learning new things from anyone who would teach him, and even taught himself computers and technology in his 70's. He was quite the tinkerer and was known to be able to fix almost anything. Dr. Basu was proud to live in the United States and was a great, yet humble man and could always be seen smiling. Most of all, he was a wonderful dad and husband to his family. Per his wishes, Dr. Basu's body will be donated to science to assist with the continued learning of future generations of physicians. There will be no services at this time. Sunset's Champaign-Urbana Chapel at 710 N. Neil St. in Champaign is assisting the family with arrangements. Please join Dr. Asit Basu's family in sharing memories, photos, and video of his life through his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.