Dr. Floyd L. BASS

1921 - 2014

Mansfield Center CT - Dr. Floyd L. Bass, Sr., 92, the former Director of the Center for Black Studies and Professor of Higher Technical and Adult Education at the University of Connecticut, died Sunday in a local nursing home. Born on August 11, 1921 in Sullivan, IN, Floyd was the son of the late William A. and Cecile (Russell) Bass. Floyd served in the Navy from 1945 to 1946. Under the GI bill he successfully completed his bachelor of science degree from Indiana State Teachers University; it was there that he also earned his master of science degree. He obtained his doctoral degree from the University of Colorado in Boulder, and completed a fellowship through the Phillips Foundation at City College of New York. Being an educator, the importance of higher learning was a life-long passion of Dr. Bass. He began as a science and chemistry teacher at Lemoyne College in TN. After being promoted to and holding the position of Dean there for several years, he then became the Dean at Alabama State University, and later at the University of NC in Durham. Because of his involvement in and knowledge of the Civil Rights Movement, he was sought after for the position of the first Director of the Center for Black Studies at UConn. While at UConn, Dr. Bass also counseled doctoral candidates who later became professors and college administrators. Floyd enjoyed playing golf and bridge, and showed his appreciation for botany with his avid enthusiasm for gardening. He was a 33rd Degree Mason, and had been a Mason since the 1940's. Dr. Bass was predeceased by his cherished wife, Hazel B. (Huddleston) Bass and his daughter, Eileen C. Bass. He is survived by his two sons, Floyd L. Bass, Jr. of MS, Marc Chapman Bass of FL, his daughter Lisa Bass Ealum and her husband, Verber, of Chicopee, MA, along with 10 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren. Services were held privately, at the convenience of the family. Colonial Forastiere Funeral and Cremation on 985 Main Street in Agawam has been entrusted with the arrangements. Memorial Contributions may be made in memory of Dr. Floyd Bass Sr. to the Phillips Foundation.