Norman H. Bass

WEST FALMOUTH — Norman H. Bass, M.D., died on Feb. 24, 2008 at home after a long struggle with prostate cancer. He was 71 years old.

Born on July 10, 1936 in New York City, he was the son of the late Celia and Julius Bass.

Dr. Bass is survived by his sister, Marilyn Meinhart of Boca Raton, Fla., and his beloved wife, Kathleen A. Bass, to whom he was married for 18 years.

He leaves two sons, Joel M. Bass of Charlottesville, Va., and Robert F. Bass of Jackson, Wyo.; and a daughter, Rebecca Sewell of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., from his first marriage to Martha McKean Bass of Charlottesville, Va. He also leaves three grandchildren, Jacob Sewell, Patrick Sewell, and Lucas Sewell, as well as two nieces, Dena Brown and Holly Berlin.

Dr. Bass was an adult and child neurologist, who practiced in Falmouth for 10 years prior to his retirement. He came to Cape Cod after a noted academic career as a physician-educator and neuroscientist, holding professorships at Boston University, University of Pittsburgh, University of Maryland, University of Kentucky, and University of Virginia. He graduated from the Bronx High School of Science in New York City, received his bachelor's degree from Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania, and his medical degree at Yale University, Connecticut. His career in neurology and the neurosciences was inspired by the late T.R. Johns, M.D., professor and chairman of neurology at the University of Virginia. A full summary of his achievements in academic medicine can be found in the 2007 Edition of "Who's Who in America."

Dr. Bass was commissioned in 1963 as a second lieutenant in the Medical Corps of the Army National Guard, Stonewall Jackson Brigade, Va., and retired as a major and medical battalion commander. He received extensive training in competitive swimming and took first place in the 1954 New York City high school swimming championship. He began training as a violinist at age 5 at the Little Red Schoolhouse in New York City and was an accomplished concert performer at age 13 years.

He was recognized by his peers for his extraordinary intellectual acuity, his range of medical knowledge, his passion for scientific brain research, and for his performance as an exemplary physician and inspiring educator. He will be remembered as a devoted father, who continually tried to express his love for his three children and three grandchildren in the aftermath of divorce. His kindness and generosity made him a wonderful husband to his wife, Kathleen, working more than 20 years side-by-side in a loving partnership. We will miss him greatly.

Funeral and burial services are private.