Kalman Bass

1922 - 2025

KALMAN BASS, 103-YEAR-OLD DECORATED WWII VETERAN AND ENTREPRENEUR.

April 6, 1922 - November 20, 2025.

Kalman Bass, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and friend, a decorated World War II Veteran, a Chevalier in the French Legion of Honor, and an accomplished South Florida Entrepreneur, died on November 20, 2025, in Coral Gables at the age of 103, surrounded by his loving family and wife of 79 years, Irma Bass.

Kal lived a full life, leaving his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews and nieces with stories and adventures to carry forward. Born in the Bronx, he grew up in Depression Era New York as one of five children. He showed an early talent for engineering, building, and creating.

Kal's patriotic duty to his country led to his enlistment in the United States Army at twenty years old, serving in the Signal Corps as a radioman during the D-Day Normandy invasion. His heroism earned him numerous medals, commendations, and honors. For his bravery in the cause of freedom, the French Government inducted him into the French Legion of Honor, France's highest military and civilian distinction.

After his Honorable Discharge in 1945, Kal married the love of his life, Irma Rehr, in Brooklyn, New York. His post-War working life began in the upholstery business, where he mastered the art of creating and manufacturing furniture.

The newly married couple embarked on their lifetime adventure, settling in South Florida in 1949, where he began his business success, founding a manufacturing company that produces elevator cabs and entrances for buildings throughout the world and is in its third generation of family leadership.

Known for his curiosity, creativity, hardworking spirit, inventiveness, and deep devotion, Kal was a lifelong learner and a devoted family man who continued to captivate those around him with his innovative ideas and interests. He was a Renaissance man in every sense: a voracious reader, a philosopher, an artist, and a lifelong student of the world. His mind was always open, his hands always busy, and his heart always full. Whether sketching a design, sharing a story, or offering a thoughtful word, he brought wisdom, humor, and warmth to those around him.

He took immense pride in his family and found great joy in the company of his wife of 79 years, four children, Lynn Kislak (Ben Kuehne), Barbara Bass Bakar (Gerson Bakar z"l), Susan Hunter, and Jay Bass (Kathy), eight grandchildren, Rebecca Kislak (Joanna Brown), Jason Kislak (Kathryn), Eric Hunter z"l, Janine Hunter Dillman (Neal), Jeffrey Bass (Rina), Kathryn Bass O'Brien (Doug), David Bass, Andrew Bass (Sinead Morris), and thirteen great-grandchildren.

Kal leaves behind a legacy not only in the businesses he built but in the lives he shaped and the love he shared. He and his wife, long-time supporters of Baptist Health Foundation, shared a vision to provide hope and healing to as many people as possible in their community and beyond. Together they established four endowed chairs supporting the clinical research work of Baptist Health physicians in cancer and neurologic care. These include the Kalman Bass Endowed Chair in Skin Cancer at Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute, the Irma and Kalman Bass Endowed Chair in Clinical Neuroscience, the Kalman Bass Endowed Chair in Pain & Rehabilitative Medicine, and the Irma Bass Endowed Chair in Stroke Neurology at Baptist Health Miami Neuroscience Institute.

Donations in his memory may be made in support of Miami Cancer Institute at BaptistHealth.net/Giving.

A Memorial Service and shiva for family and friends will be held at the Gables Club, 10 Edgewater Drive, Coral Gables, 33133, on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at Noon – 3:00 p.m.