Former Senator Carmen Kasperbauer Honored at State Funeral

Family, friends, and public officials gathered at the Guam Congress Building on January 2, 2024, to honor the life and contributions of former senator Carmen Artero Kasperbauer. Kasperbauer, who passed away on December 24, 2023, at the age of 90, was a prominent figure in Guam’s political and social landscape. Known for her tenure as a Republican senator in the 15th and 16th Guam Legislatures, she also served as president of the Astumbo Catholic Family Mission and was a survivor of the Japanese occupation of Guam during World War II.

During the emotional state funeral, her casket, draped in the Guam Flag, was escorted into the legislative session hall. Speaker Frank Blas Jr. noted that the same flag had been raised over the Guam Congress Building on December 30 in her honor. Key figures such as Governor Lou Leon Guerrero and Chief Justice Robert Torres presented an official wreath to Kasperbauer’s family, received by her husband, Larry Kasperbauer, who is also a former senator.

In his eulogy, Superior Court Presiding Judge Alberto Lamorena III reflected on their decades-long friendship, emphasizing Kasperbauer’s commitment to the people of Guam. “When I think of Carmen, I don’t think of her time in the legislature, or the title she held,” Lamorena said. “I think of her faith, her kindness, how deeply she cared about this island and its people.” He recounted moments when she attended court proceedings to stay informed about community issues, showcasing her dedication to public service.

A Life Shaped by War and Resilience

Kasperbauer was born in Hagatña on August 8, 1935. The early years of her life were overshadowed by the brutal realities of the war. Lamorena noted that her family played a critical role in assisting a U.S. Navy radioman, George Tweed, during the Japanese occupation. “Her parents helped hide Tweed at great risk to themselves,” he explained. Kasperbauer would venture into the jungle to deliver food to him.

Although Guam was liberated on July 21, 1944, Kasperbauer’s family remained in hiding until August 8, the same day she celebrated her ninth birthday. According to Lamorena, her mother shared the joyous news of their liberation while holding her tightly, marking a pivotal moment in Kasperbauer’s life.

Kasperbauer went on to become a registered nurse after graduating from St. Anthony’s School of Nursing in Carroll, Iowa, in 1958. That same year, she married Larry Kasperbauer. By the late 1970s, she entered the Guam Legislature as one of only three women in a 21-member body.

Championing Change and Community

Despite facing challenges as a woman in politics, Kasperbauer championed numerous laws that have left a lasting impact on Guam. Lamorena highlighted her efforts to enforce child support payments and ensure that medical practitioners on the island were properly licensed. “Carmen demanded that anyone providing medical care on this island should be properly trained and licensed,” he stated.

Additionally, she advocated for legislation mandating that 1% of public building construction budgets be allocated to local artwork, preserving CHamoru culture and supporting local artists. Notably, she authored the law requiring the presidential straw poll during election years, allowing the people of Guam to express their political preferences despite their votes not being counted in federal elections.

Kasperbauer’s philanthropic spirit was evident through her work with the Astumbo Catholic Family Mission, where she helped fundraise for the construction of a chapel in Astumbo, Dededo. Lamorena described her as a woman of “deep faith, courage, humility, and love,” emphasizing that her legacy remains embedded in Guam’s laws, culture, and communities.

Kasperbauer is survived by her husband and their children: Kevin, Karen, Brian, Steven, and Teresa. She also leaves behind 18 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. As the community reflects on her life, it is clear that Carmen Kasperbauer’s spirit and contributions will continue to resonate in Guam for generations to come.