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- FOXS ? 13 KSTU, Salt Lake City, Utah, Monday, July 27, 2015
Dick Bass, mountain climbing legend, former Snowbird resort owner, died at 85
SNOWBIRD, Utah ? Richard Daniel "Dick" Bass, the first person to climb the highest point on each of seven continents, died Sunday at the age of 85 surrounded by family in Dallas, Texas.
Bass, born Dec. 21, 1929 in Tulsa, Okla., completed the "Seven Summits" at the age of 55 in 1985 when he summitted Mt. Everest on his fourth attempt with guide and lifelong friend, David Breashears. Bass also co-founded Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort in 1971 with Ted Johnson, according to a press release from Snowbird Ski resort.
Bass maintained sole ownership of the resort for four decades until the Bass family sold majority interest to Ian Cumming in May 2014, the release states.
Bass suffered from pulmonary fibrosis.
While pursuing his dreams throughout his life, Bass discovered an effective outlet for his frustrations and anxieties through climbing major mountains.
"Mountain climbing recharged me with a greater sense of self-confidence and self-respect, and enabled me to put my troubles and pressures into better perspective by more fully realizing, 'if it's meant to be, it's up to me!'" Bass said according to the Snowbird website.
Bass is survived by his wife Alice, four children and 13 grandchildren as well as five stepchildren and 11 grandchildren, the release states.
"The Snowbird family is mourning the loss of a great man who changed so many of our lives for the better," said Snowbird President Bob Bonar, who worked with Bass since before the resort opened.
Funeral services are set for July 31 at 4 p.m. at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Dallas, Texas.
Dallas Morning News, Texas, July 30, 2015
Richard D. Bass (Picture included)
1929 ? 2015
BASS, Richard D. Richard D. Bass of Dallas died on July 26, 2015. He will be remembered as a loving husband, enthusiastic father, entertaining friend, thoughtful counselor and a visionary entrepreneur. He was born December 21, 1929, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the son of Harry Wesley Bass and Wilma Schuessler Bass and moved with his family to Dallas, Texas in October 1932, living in Dallas until his death. He graduated from Highland Park High School in 1946 at the age of 16 and attended Yale University, graduating in 1950. In 1951, while attending University of Texas for a post graduate degree in geology, he was called to serve in the Navy for two years during the Korean War as an officer aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Essex. Upon discharge in June 1953 he joined the family oil and gas business and ranching operations. Dick found his over-arching purpose in life when he began skiing in Colorado in the 1950s. In the mountains he discovered communion with nature, which led to his desire to be a part of a growing ski industry in the United States, initially as an investor in Aspen and later Vail. He was an original limited partner in Vail Ski Resort and joined Vail's Board of Directors in 1965, with his family eventually owning a majority ownership stake in Vail that was sold in the mid-1980s. Dick's lifelong quest became the Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort in Utah, where he had the opportunity to provide a place for human camaraderie while enhancing people's joyful communion with the great outdoors. From Snowbird's opening in 1971 until Dick's sale of the resort in 2014, Dick spent 43 years as the owner/developer and Chairman of Snowbird, building a world-renowned, year-round destination mountain resort, dedicated to the enhancement of Body, Mind and Spirit. In 2006 Dick was awarded the National Ski Area Association (NSAA) Lifetime Achievement Award and in 2009 he was inducted into the Intermountain Ski Hall of Fame. He also received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Highland Park Alumni Association in 2013. Dick's infectious enthusiasm will long be remembered as well as his non-stop verbosity, super curious and adventurous spirit. His energy and enthusiasm enabled him on April 30, 1985, to reach the top of Mt. Everest, being the first person to climb the tallest mountain on each of the seven continents, chronicled in the book, Seven Summits, authored together with his climbing partner, Frank Wells, former President of Warner Brothers and then Disney. At 55, he became the oldest person by 5 years (at that time) to reach the top of Mt. Everest. Dick had a lifelong love of poetry, art and literature. He seized every opportunity to share a moral or a virtue by reciting a poem or aphorism to convey a valuable perspective or lesson. He was an entertaining raconteur, with a lively, ribald story to tell at any given moment. He is survived by his loving wife of 23 years, Alice Worsham Aston Bass, four children: a son, Dan Bass; daughter and son-in-law, Bonnie and Peter Smith; daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Jim Moroney; and son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Hong Bass; five stepchildren: Susan Barge, Jimmy Aston, Ann Ratelle, Lang Aston, Lucy Witte; 13 grandchildren: Julie Smith, Caroline Smith, Kate Smith, Pete Smith and Mason Smith; Sean Moroney, Meagan Moroney, Kyle Moroney, Jenny Moroney and Callie Moroney; Aline Bass, Laura Bass and Kevin Bass. He also is survived by two nieces, Carol Ann Bass and Beverly Haralson, and two nephews, John Bass and Robert Bass. He was preceded in death by his brother, Harry Wesley Bass, Jr. and a nephew, Harry Wesley Bass III. During his lengthy illness with pulmonary fibrosis, Dick was most fortunate to have love and support from his wife, Alice, and continuing dedicated assistance from Lorraine Fry, Luis Aguilera and David Spearance. In his final months he received compassionate care from Tamela Harlan, Pamela Lias, Ronetha Johnson and Faith Presbyterian Hospice. Memorials may be made to Dallas Center for the Performing Arts Foundation, 2100 Ross Ave., Ste 650, Dallas, Texas 75201 or Wasatch Adaptive Sports, 9385 S. Snowbird Center Drive, Snowbird, Utah 84092. A memorial service will be held at 4pm Friday, July 31, at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, 8011 Douglas Ave. in Dallas.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1929 - 2015 (85 years)