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- Kennebec Journal, Augusta, Maine, Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Robert N. Bass
FALMOUTH -- Robert N. "Bunny" Bass, 89, of Falmouth, formerly of Wilton, died Friday, Oct. 27, 2006, in Falmouth. He was born in Wilton on Aug. 23, 1917, a son of John R. and Alice (Ness) Bass. He attended Wilton schools, Deerfield Academy, Bowdoin College (bachelor's degree, 1940) and Harvard Business School (master of business administration, 1942). He served in the Navy in World War II as gunnery officer in a forward turret of the USS Phoenix, participating in many battles in the Pacific, including the Battle of Leyte Gulf. He married Martha Lord of Augusta and with her raised five children, all of whom live and work in Maine, 11 grandchildren and one great-grandson. He was predeceased by Martha; his brother, George; and sister, Margaret. He joined the family shoemaking business, GH Bass & Co., following the war, serving in a variety of capacities including treasurer, president and chairman of the board until his retirement in 1978, when Chesebrough Ponds Inc., acquired GH Bass & Co. He was an avid skier, which he combined with his business experience to help form Sugarloaf Mountain Ski Club and, subsequently, Sugarloaf Mountain Corp. in the early 1950s, serving as Sugarloaf's president in the first 12 years of its existence. He was very active in the ski retail business, helping form the National Ski Credit Association and the principal ski industry trade association, Ski Industries of America. He served SIA variously as treasurer, president and board chairman from its inception in 1959 through 1976. He was inducted into the Maine Ski Hall of Fame in 2003. He was a tireless champion and fundraiser for a number of schools and organizations, including the State YMCA; Boy Scouts; The Carpenter's Boatshop; Maine Medical Center, Portland; Franklin Memorial Hospital, Farmington; Portland Art Museum; Maine Historical Society; North Yarmouth Academy; as well as his several alma maters. Professionally, he also served on several boards, including Liberty Mutual, Union Mutual Insurance Companies and Depositor's Corp. He and Martha had a particular interest in aiding the Maine Youth Center. There will be no memorial service, and burial will be private at Lakeview Cemetery, Wilton. In lieu of flowers or donations, the family asks that friends remember his life with their own enthusiasm in supporting their causes of choice, by smoothing the rough edges of life with courtesy to all, and by holding no grudges longer than 10 seconds. Online condolences may be sent to wilesfuneralhomes@verizon.net. Arrangements are in the care of the Wiles Remembrance Center, 136 High St., Wilton.
Bangor Daily News, Maine, Friday, November 3, 2006
Wilton Businessman Robert Bass dies at 89
Maine has lost a prominent businessman and philanthropist.
Robert N. "Bunny" Bass recently died in Falmouth at the age of 89.
A Wilton native, Bass headed his family's shoemaking business, GH Bass & Co., and was a founder of Sugarloaf Mountain Ski Club, which became Sugarloaf Mountain Corp., and served the ski resort as president during the first 12 years of its existence.
"He was a gentleman's gentleman, smart, athletic, multi-faceted and community-minded," said John Woodcock, the U.S. district judge based in Bangor. Woodcock was distantly related to Bass by marriage and through work at their mutual alma mater, Bowdoin College.
Bass served the Wilton-based shoemaking company in many capacities, including treasurer, president and chairman of the board until his retirement in 1978, when Bass was purchased by Chesebrough Ponds.
He had joined the company after World War II, in which he served as a gunnery officer in the Navy.
Before the war, he had attended Wilton schools, Deerfield Academy and Bowdoin College and earned a Master of Business Administration degree at Harvard Business School.
Bass also served on many boards and worked for many organizations.
He was inducted into the Maine Ski Hall of Fame in 2003.
Woodcock said Bass will be remembered in many ways, but the image he will remember most is of Bass on a sunny afternoon on the sideline of a soccer field at Bowdoin, wearing a Deerfield cap and watching a grandson play soccer.
1950 Federal Census of Wilton, Franklin County, Maine (6 Apr 1950)
Robert N. Bass 33 M Head ME Asst. Treasurer Shoe Factory
Martha L. 26 F Wife ME
John R. II June M Son ME
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Bassett Family Association Database
1917 - 2006 (89 years)