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The Sister of Rafael Botello '87 called him from Panama with the news that Kaiser Bazan died
today, 8 August 2006, in a car accident in Panama. She informed him that Kaiser was traveling from Colon to Panama City,
and that his chauffer lost control of the car. Both died at the site at around 4 PM Eastern time.
Kaiser's wife Mrs. Kaiser (Maribel) Bazan may be contacted at:
Apartado
0816-01742 Panama 5, Republic of Panama
To all friends of deceased Honorable Ex Vice-President
of the Republic, Dominador Kaiser Bazan.
We wish to inform you that funeral services will be held on Tuesday the 15th at the Church of El Carmen (Iglesia del Carmen).
Flowers will not be received. Any considerations or donations can be made to the following foundations:
1.
Fundacion AMA-ME: Citibank, N.Y., ABA 021000089, Swift Citius 33 for credit to the account Banco General, S.A. Panama Swit
Bagepapa Account No. 10951934 for further credit to Fundacion AMA-ME Account No. 03-02-01017004-04;
-or-
2. San Juan Bosco Church
Obituaries:
Former Vice-President Dominador Kaiser Bazán, scion of a prominent Colon family
and active in the private sector as a real estate developer and a Colon Free
Zone merchant, died on August 8 in a one-car accident on the Corredor Norte. A
car driven by his chauffeur hit a pool of water, spun out, plunged into a ravine
and smashed into a tree. The former vice president was apparently not wearing
his seat belt. The driver also suffered serious injuries. Kaiser Bazán, who was
66 years old, is survived by his widow María Isabel Kodat de Bazán and four
children. He was a graduate of Cristobal High School and the US Military Academy
at West Point and earned a master's degree in engineering from Stanford. He
served in a number of public posts and as a leader of several of Panama's
business and civic groups and served as an important contact person between
Panamanian political life and this country's American community.
Panama News Briefs
Remembrances:
Kaiser Bazan Elected Vice President of Panama
Click here to view 1960
Pointer article about Kaiser.
No man ever smiled more often,
nor extended his hand in friendship with greater sincerity than did Kaiser. He knew no strangers.
His Family, Classmates and Country have all been privileged to share in his life; his personal and
professional successes; and now his memory.
Until we grip hands once again, Kaiser, God's speed.
You are with us ... and we with you, always.
Bruce Shroyer '61, H-2
As Battalion Commander of CHS, Kaiser competed with me for the slot of Regimental Commander; I was chosen over him, but
immediately discovered my immense admiration and respect for him. We entered West Point thru different roads and graduated
in '61. Our friendship grew steadily stronger as we both overcame "distance" (he was in the 1st Regiment, I was in the 2nd -
spooky, like BHS vs CHS. We both became 4-yr lettermen in the soccer team and I can assure you that Ed Scott is right on with
his description of Kaiser's competitiveness ( I call it GUTS).
West Point was not easy; our class had a high dropout rate the 1st year. At a very down moment during Plebe ( Freshman )
year, I had decided to quit, but Kaiser talked me out of it. Every 11th of December he would come over 1st thing in the morning
to wish me a happy birthday; two days later, I would repay the birthday wishes. He was two days younger than me.
After graduation, Kaiser went on to Stanford for his masters, then returned to Panama. When I returned to Panama
after resigning my commission in the Army, our wives became very close thru the love that Kaiser and I shared. I never met
another person as passionately devoted to Panama; it was always his first priority. The last time he and Maribel came thru
Madrid, the resolve to continue working for Panama's progress became very, very clear.
"Cuando un amigo se vá, algo se muere en el alma". I beg all of you to grip hands with me and pray that he finds his peace
with the loved ones that have gone before him.
Dicky Angstadt '61, H-2
I was probably stuck into Advanced Spanish with Bazan and Angstadt, way above my competence
level, because I was born on an island in the Gulf of Mexico. The course was a struggle for me but it was a real kick to watch
Kaiser and Dicky coasting along for a couple of years, knowing that the Ps all knew they both knew more than all the Ps. I
last met Kaiser briefly when I was in Panama in '83-'84 but working mostly in Honduras. What a fine fellow and classmate! The
latest I heard was that a tire blew on his car causing the accident. Miss you, Kaiser. Rest in peace, mi amigo.
Jim Strachan, D-2
What a
shock. I was counting on seeing Kaiser next month. We spent four years of fall
afternoons together on the soccer field under the eyes of Coach Joe Palone.
Kaiser, of course, was a splendid player, while I was extremely average. He
could have played at today's college level, a far cry from the competition we
faced.
And then
there were the Spanish classes we shared. Yes, Spanish . . . for someone who
grew up speaking the language. When I asked him at the time how he had
engineered such a good deal, he told me that the department had specifically
requested him because the professors thought his good looks and command of the
language would add to our learning experience. Always the charmer.
And the
nickname Kaiser. How did he get that? I can hear his answer yet: "Porque
suena de potencia." Translated somewhat freely: "Because
it signifies a man of power." You bet.
Although we
saw each other only at reunions, I followed his career over the years. I
once called the MacNeil-Lehrer News Hour as they interviewed then-Ambassador
Bazan live; they hadn't taken the trouble to get his name right on the
identifying crawl and I was unhappy--and they didn't get it right before the
program ended.
I'll never
forget walking to dinner with Kaiser at the 40th and casually asking him what he
was doing: "Actually, I'm the Vice-President," he replied, never batting an eye.
We continued our stroll down the corridor . . . Kaiser with a smile on his face
and I with muchos huevos on
mine. He was always larger than life to me.
At that same
reunion, my wife took a snapshot of Kaiser, Tom Mercer (the guy who thought we
should both go into the Marine Corps--and who then went infantry, leaving me to
head off to Quantico without him), and me. I had been meaning for years to
enlarge it and send it to both of them, but, typically, never got around to
it. I was actually looking at it on Wednesday, the day after Kaiser had been
killed in the accident--but before I knew--and thinking, "Oh, well, I can take
copies to them next month"
Now there
won't be a next month for my old friend.
Vaya con Dios, compadre.
Mac
Greeley, I-1 '61
Karen and I just returned from Panama and the funeral for our classmate Kaiser Bazan.
On Tuesday, August 15, we joined thousands of mourners at the Church of El Carmen in Panama City, Panama to
pay tribute to a great son of Panama, former Ambassador and Vice President, successful businessman, father and grandfather
and West Point classmate. And for me a valued friend and trusted advisor when I was CINCSOUTH in Panama from 1990-1993. I was
seated with the family and saw many old Panamanian acquaintances. All spoke of Kaiser's honesty and credibility as a politician
and businessman. Many referred to his West Point experience and Kaiser's belief in the Honor Code. One even told me that Kaiser
wanted to institute an "All Right" system for Panamanian politicians! Following the service, Karen and I spent some private time
with Maribel and the family in their home and offered assistance if they needed it. I recommend the class stay in touch with
Maribel. One final note: As he wished it, Kaiser was cremated. William, the eldest son, told me that his father made it clear
that he wanted to be cremated wearing his West Point bathrobe - adorned with all the sports letters, badges, and other
paraphernalia. And he was. At the end Kaiser Bazan was a true son of West Point and one who left us too soon but one who left
us 50 years of great memories. I will miss him.
George Joulwan, K-1, '61
Last month I was invited to Panama to speak at a dinner
honoring our classmate Kaiser Bazan who was killed in an automobile accident a
year ago. The event was sponsored by COSPAE an organization Kaiser founded in
1984 to help educate underprivileged Panamanian children. The dinner was
attended by the key business and political leaders of Panama and a contingent
of West Point grads. In my remarks I spoke of Kaiser's West Point days as
Captain of the soccer team and one admired and respected by his classmates. I
mentioned the impact of the honor code on Kaiser and that it guided his
actions in both business and politics. Over the years when I would ask Kaiser
how things were going in his political life, Kaiser would simply say "All
Right, Sir". That was all he had to say. I understood. I also recounted the
advice and assistance Kaiser provided when I was the CINCSOUTH in Panama from
1990-93. With Kaiser's help, we developed a ten year plan for the reversion of
the Canal Zone to Panamanian control and today Panama and the Panama Canal are
doing extremely well. COSPAE has established a scholarship fund in Kaiser's
name with the aim of educating the poor of Panama. Kaiser would be pleased and
his wife Maribel is the honorary President of the foundation. (Karen and I had
some private time with Maribel and she is coping but clearly this is a
difficult time for her. On the bright side the boys are stepping up and have
resurrected the business Kaiser started). It was a privilege for me to speak
on behalf of my friend and for our class.
Assembly/Taps Memorial Article:
Dominador K. Bazan '61
No. 23635 • 13 Dec 1937-8 Aug 2006 • Died
in Panama City, Panama
Interred in Inglesia Del Carmen, Panama
A tragedy to his family and to us, his
classmates. All have sustained a tremendous loss, but his country has lost
one of those irreplaceable people we will read about in the history of
Panama.
A deep voice, a ton of athletic ability, a
personality that caused all of us to love him as a brother, and a stride that,
even while marching in parades, gave all to know that this man had a maturity
and a self-confidence that many of us were yet to find. There are several
things about our former roommate and friend, Dominodor Kaiser Bazan,
that come immediately to mind as we write this article. His father, the Vice
President of the Republic of Panama, was exiled during Kaiser’s cadetship. It had to have been a
terribly painful experience for Kaiser, yet he uttered not one word of
self-pity, demonstrating a strength of character and resolve that amazed all
of us in Company G-l. We recall, too, his election to captain the soccer team
our Firstie year, the first non-American to receive that honor.
Many memories of Kaiser's cadet days have
been contributed by fellow cadets:
"My fondest memory of Kaiser is that, as a
plebe, he would do a rather spirited rendition of the Superman theme: "More
powerful than a locomotive, faster than a speeding bullet, able to jump rail
buildings in a single bound. Look up in the air, it's a bird, it's a plane,
no it's Super Hombre!" The whole thing was done in Spanish and for that
reason, perhaps, was particularly hilarious. It won a few fallouts for him
and us."
—Rod Bartholomew
"Kaiser was always spiffy without being
spoony. He was remarkably efficient in mastering the details of military
bearing and appearance and minimizing the time spent to achieve them. Always
smooth, never rattled by adverse circumstances; always considerate, never
annoyed by sometimes-annoying people; Kaiser brought the diplomats aplomb to
West Point and left as our ambassador with military portfolio to a peculiarly
vital piece of real estate."
—Nick Gilbert
"I remember well a time at West Point when
I was required to write an efficiency report on Kaiser. He had performed
magnificently, as only Kaiser could do. He did everything with flair. In the
report, I referred to him as a "trouble shooter" in that he had anticipated
what could go wrong and made plans to ensure we had covered the various
contingencies. Well, about a month later, after his TAG had no doubt showed
him my report, I received a message that he wanted to see me. As soon as I
saw him, it was obvious to me that he was not happy. He asked me what he
could do to prove his worth as a leader. He said he was disappointed that I
thought him a troublemaker and wanted to understand what trouble he had
caused. After I explained what 1 had meant, he was all smiles and that
incident really started our friendship."
—Ron Hannan
"Many of our classmates are not aware of
how Kaiser shared a percentage of his winning construction contracts with his
competitors when the local economy was in recession. He wanted to help
everyone survive hard times."
—Tom Mercer
"After graduation, Kaiser served in his
country's armed forces and, after serving in several responsible positions,
was elected to the Panamanian Senate in 1968. Appointed Ambassador to the
United States in 1986, he was subsequently elected and served as Vice
President of the Republic of Panama. Consistent with his service to his country was his adherence to the
honor code of West Point and its
ideals of Duty, Honor, Country. One of his friends commented at his funeral
that Kaiser even wanted to institute an "All Right" system for Panamanian
politicians.
"Even with his success in the military, in
politics, and in business, humility was among his most evident
characteristics. It was difficult to get him to talk about himself. All he
really wanted to talk about was his family, his close friends, and his beloved
Panama. Kaiser had an
immense love of his country, manifested by the tremendous amount of energy he
put into making everyone proud to be Panamanian. "Many wonderful people come
into our lives and later leave. Not Kaiser. Once his warm smile and clean
look got into you, he stayed with you forever. Kaiser came into this life to
become many things, but most of all we will remember him as a genuine
gentlemen. Panama is a very tiny country dial can proudly claim it saw the
birth, and was bettered by the life, of a very big man."
—Dick Angstadt
Wilbert, "Bill," the eldest son, commented
that his father made it clear that he wanted to be cremated wearing his
West Point bathrobe, adorned
with all the sports letters, badges, and other paraphernalia. Kaiser's love
of the Academy and what it represented to him throughout his life was what he
wished to carry with him to the grave. Well done, soldier, patriot, friend.
Go in peace. —His classmates
TAPS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2007
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