BASS, Dr. Robert Gerald (Jerry), Dr. Robert Gerald (Jerry) Bass died peacefully in his sleep on May 30, 2024, at the age of 91 after a long happy life.

Born in Raleigh, North Carolina and raised in Norfolk, Virginia, he was the son of Goin Robert and Mabel Crabtree Bass. He was the first in his family to attend college, taking the Powhatan Arrow on the Norfolk and Western through Lynchburg to school in Blacksburg. He graduated from Virginia Tech and went to graduate school at the University of Virginia, his beloved alma mater, earning a PhD in organic chemistry. After a couple of years at Dupont, he became one of two chemistry faculty members at Richmond Polytechnic Institute. During his distinguished 35-year career, he helped to grow a small regional school into VCU, a vibrant top 50 public research university. His research focused on polymer chemistry and included work in support of NASA's aerospace program. He was active in professional organizations, elected as a Fellow of the American Chemical Society and as Executive Officer of the Virginia Academy of Science and was awarded VCU's Distinguished Service Award in 1992. After retirement he was active as a volunteer with professional organizations, Meals on Wheels, and Westminster Canterbury, Lynchburg.

Throughout his life his greatest impact was as a revered teacher, advisor, and mentor to generations of students and other young people, helping them realize their potential and forge rewarding lives and careers. He took a special interest in those who were first generation college students or needed someone to believe in their ability to become doctors, dentists, pharmacists, and chemists.

Jerry was a deeply committed and often frustrated fan of the Cavaliers. He enjoyed travel, ranging from family excursions in a chartreuse VW camper van across the U.S. to trips to Africa, Asia, Europe, and Central and South America. Warm, sympathetic, and gregarious, he made friends with all he met. Jokes, some good, some just good-natured, were a hallmark of his conversation. He had a story for every occasion, a cookie for every dog, and seed for every bird.

He will be warmly remembered and greatly missed by Susan Bass, his wife of 65 years, sons, Robert C. Bass, M.D. and David Bass, their spouses, Moira Rafferty, M.D., and Julio Mondragon, grandchildren, Eleanor Bass and Daniel Bass, sister, Katherine Whitesell, and beloved nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held June 14, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church, 205 Elmwood Avenue, Lynchburg, VA, 24503.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to:

The "Gerald and Susan Bass Scholarship Fund in Chemistry" at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) https://www.support.vcu.edu/give/ (search by fund name)

Or by mail to: Box 843042, Richmond, VA 23284-3042

The Westminster Canterbury Fellowship Endowment Fund at https://www.wclynchburg.org/giving or by mail to:

Westminster Canterbury of Lynchburg

Attention: Development Office

501 V.E.S. Road, Lynchburg, VA 24503

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family. To send condolences, please visit tharpfuneralhome.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Dayton Daily News on Jun. 2, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Bass

Sponsored by Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory - Lynchburg.

5 Entries

Jim Hunter

June 7, 2024

I met Dr. Bass at VCU in the summer of 1985 as one of his students in Organic Chemistry class. I will always be grateful for his compassion for his students, humor in the classroom and genuine interest in mentoring my ambitions to become a veterinarian. Forty years later, I still fondly think back to that summer and the influence Dr. Bass had on my early career.

Colleen Taylor

June 5, 2024

I am grateful for the contributions of Dr. Bass to mentoring in his lifetime. He was responsible for my attending VCU undergraduate program and starting research early before attending graduate school also at VCU. He introduced me to the chair of chemistry at VSU allowing me to apply to the position I currently hold after 20 years. He showed great pride in my progress over the years as he also did with his many mentees. I am sure there are many who owe their careers to Dr. Bass.

I hope the gratitude of all of his former mentees brings you comfort. His is a life well lived.

Susan Booth

June 4, 2024

I worked with Dr. Bass as the VJAS Director. He was helpful, supportive, and funny. He taught me my job and his expectations with unending care. He will be greatly missed.

Joe Crockett

June 3, 2024

Jerry will be sadly missed by all of the Virginia Section ACS. I remember him from when I first came into the section in 1985 and throughout. He used his contacts to get me onto the Committee on Chemical Safety which I could never have thanked him enough. A true friend and colleague.

Ponce Moss

June 2, 2024

It seems like yesterday when I met Mr. Bass as a student at VCU. He was a fun professor. He used to bring me bags of golf balls to school. I guess he knew I needed them because I would lose most of them playing golf. He told me about the next junior golf star in golf: Tiger Woods. I had no idea what he was talking about. However, he predicted his success. He taught me to be committed and a champion in whatever I do! Rest in Peace! I can´t wait to see you again in Heaven!

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