Andrew "Andy" Franz Basel

Andrew "Andy" Franz Basel, 78, passed away peacefully at home in Plano, Texas, on October 1, 2025.

Andy was born on March 11, 1947, in New York City to Andrew and Erika Basel. He grew up in Queens and spent every summer with his parents in the Catskill Mountains—a place that sparked his lifelong love of the mountains. As a teenager, he joined the rodeo there and became a bronc and bull rider. It was just like Andy to take on something that required both courage and grit—qualities that followed him through every stage of his life.

In 1967, Andy enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard and served aboard the USCGS Tanager. After his active duty time, he continued serving in the reserves for many years. He went on to earn a degree in Economics from Rutgers University and later an MBA from St. John's University.

Andy began his career with the FDIC in the early 1970s as a bank examiner, eventually transitioning to bank liquidation—a job that took him to San Juan, Puerto Rico, in 1978. That move turned out to be life-changing, because it's where he met the love of his life, Bridgit. They married in Las Cruces, New Mexico, in 1981, and together they built a life full of laughter, travel, and adventure.

Work took Andy and Bridgit from San Juan, Puerto Rico to New Orleans and to Dallas, where they settled in Plano and welcomed their son, Cody, in 1986. Andy loved being a dad—whether it was Indian Guides, Cub Scouts, or family outings that included horseback riding, trips to the circus, and Wet 'n Wild. He poured his heart into fatherhood and created memories that Cody and his family still cherish today.

Throughout his long FDIC career, Andy worked in cities across the country—Tulsa, San Francisco, Jacksonville, and back to San Juan—and no matter where he went, he made lifelong friends. Andy had the gift of conversation; he could talk to anyone about anything, and he loved doing it. Whether chatting with a neighbor, a new friend at the Rec Center, or a stranger on a plane, he made people feel seen, heard, and at ease.

After retiring in 2011, Andy stayed busier than ever. He studied Spanish, caught up regularly with his FDIC friends over lunch, skied every year in Lake Tahoe, and met a great group of guys for daily walks at the Plano Rec Center.

Andy and Bridgit shared a deep love of travel and exploration. Together they visited Malta and Germany to see family and friends, cruised from Chile through the Panama Canal, and explored places like Alaska, the Mediterranean, and Egypt. One of Andy's favorite trips was to Scotland, where Cody married in 2019. That trip held a special place in his heart—filled with family, laughter, and the kind of stories he loved to retell. Holidays were often spent surrounded by loved ones in Bastrop, Texas, with tables full of good food, conversation, and laughter.

Andy will be remembered for his warmth and genuine kindness. He had a way of turning simple moments into connections and making everyone feel welcome and valued—whether you met him on a ski trip, at the Rec Center, or around the family table.

He is survived by his wife, Bridgit; his son, Cody, and daughter-in-law, Melanie; and his two grandchildren, Callum and Ella, of Austin, Texas. His family and friends will forever remember him for the love, laughter, and light he brought into their lives.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or the Dementia Society of America in his memory.