In Memoriam: Joseph Bassett

Source: The Natural Products Association, Citizens for Health

Members of the natural products industry mourned the loss of Joseph Bassett who, among other accomplishments, was one of the coauthors of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994.

Bassett died in his Sylvania, OH, home on June 6. Along with his wife, Pat, Bassett owned and operated Bassett’s Health Food Stores from 1969 to present. He was also trained and certified in many fields, including polarity, iridology, massage therapy, Reiki, and applied kinesiology. He served as a naturopathic medical doctor and a doctor of machanotherapy. In addition to being a founding member of the National Institute of Nutritional Education, president of the Mid American Health Association, chairman of Citizens for Health, and being a National Health Freedom board member, Bassett was a talk show host on WSPD for many years, with his program “Nutritionally Speaking. Additionally, Bassett was a past president of the Natural Products Association, from 1993-1995 and 1997-1999.

One of Bassett’s biggest accomplishments was helping to coauthor the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) with Senators Orrin Hatch and Tom Harkin in 1994.

Bassett passed away at his home surrounded by his loving family in Sylvania, OH. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Patricia Bassett (Martin), children Joseph, Jr., Charmaine Bassett Trimm (Mark) and Sabrina Early (Jeff), brother James Bassett, seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

The Bassett family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to www.nemenhahpress.com; click on Joseph M. Bassett Memorial Fund.