H. Marvin Bastian left his mark on WSU in numerous ways. He served on the Board of Trustees, the Ulrich Museum Art Committee, the Endowment Board of Governors, among other university groups, and was a generous donor. He also was the recipient of the university’s highest honor: the President’s Medal.
Born in Danbury, Neb., Bastian joined the Army Air Corps in 1942. After his service, he began work at the Fidelity Investment Co., his father’s business. The business grew quickly during the coming years, becoming Fidelity Bank, with multiple locations in Kansas and Oklahoma.
Throughout his long career in the financial services business, Bastian played key roles in community and civic development, including spearheading a multimillion-dollar plan in the early 1990s to revitalize downtown Wichita. He headed the 1983 United Way campaign and was involved in many nonprofit organizations.
Not only a leader, he was a doer and volunteered at Harry Street Elementary School to help children who were having difficulty in school. For his many civic endeavors, he was presented the Uncommon Citizen award from the Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce in 1995.
Bastian had a lifelong passion for art, fine wine and travel. He was married for 54 years to Bobbie Jean Pigott, who passed away in 2003. They raised three children.
He died May 24 in Wichita.
