R. Bruce Tharpe sent out the following:

The National Wrestling Alliance expresses its sincere condolences on the death of the legendary Red Bastien – one of the truly greatest wrestlers ever to step into the ring.

He was truly ahead of his time by his innovation and utilization of an aerial, high-flying style back in the Sixties. He was a superstar in New York, Florida, Minneapolis, and in virtually every territory in which he appeared. In his later years Bastien was also very active in the Cauliflower Alley Club, where I first had the opportunity to meet him. He was a wonderful person and phenomenal wrestler who will be greatly missed.

R. Bruce Tharpe
Fred Rubenstien
Chris Ronquillo