Robert Lee Bastian, age 96 of Rhinelander, died Sunday, Sept. 5, 2020, at the Friendly Village in Rhinelander. He was born March 12, 1924, to Lee and Esther (Johnson) Bastian.

After high school Robert joined the Navy, serving with the 3^rd and 5^th Marine Divisions as a Medical Corpsman in Guadalcanal, Saipan and the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa; he witnessed the raising of the flag on Mount Suribachi.

Robert is survived by his children, Mary (Michael) Denis, Diane (Gordon) Gilman, Christine (James) Bourcier, Susan (Dennis) Edwards, Laura (Dale) Kerchefski, and Lee (Kim) Bastian; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other family and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Louise; and his brother, Russell. Private family services with military honors will take place at the Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Cemetery. (Carlson Funeral Home)