Harry W. Bass Jr.

Harry Wesley Bass Jr.
Born	(1927-01-06) January 6, 1927 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
Died	April 4, 1998(1998-04-04) (aged 71) Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, philanthropist, numismatist
Known for	Oil industry entrepreneurship, ski resort development, coin collecting, philanthropy

Harry Wesley Bass Jr. (January 6, 1927 – April 4, 1998) was a prominent American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and avid numismatist. During the late 1950s, he was actively involved with the Texas Republican Party at a time when the Democratic Party largely controlled Texas politics.

In 1970, Bass and his brother Richard inherited control of the Goliad Oil and Gas Corporation. He also invested in the development of ski resorts in Aspen and Vail, Colorado, playing a key role in establishing the Beaver Creek Resort in Beaver Creek. Additionally, Bass assembled one of the globe’s most distinguished coin collections and held the position of president at the American Numismatic Society.

Early life

Born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Bass was the son of Harry W. Bass Sr., who co-founded both Goliad Corporation and Goliad Oil and Gas Corporation based in Duncanville, near Dallas, Texas. He had a brother named Richard Bass.

Bass received his education at St. Mark's School of Texas (formerly Texas Country Day School) and attended Southern Methodist University. During World War II, he served in the South Pacific theater as a member of the United States Navy.

Career

Bass started his professional journey in Calgary, Alberta, working within his father’s oil and gas enterprises. In the late 1950s, he founded a company focused on voter data collection and took on the role of finance chairman for the Republican Party in Dallas County. Despite his efforts, this venture did not achieve financial success. In 1957, he was elected chairman of the Dallas County GOP but stepped down within that same year. By 1960, Bass collaborated with Republican U.S. Representative Bruce Alger to organize a protest against Democratic U.S. Senator (and future President) Lyndon B. Johnson during his visit to Dallas. He also participated as a delegate at the 1964 Republican National Convention.

Bass co-owned H. W. Bass and Sons, a private firm based in Dallas. His investments in ski resort development began in 1955, including acquiring a 7 percent stake in Aspen Ski Corporation alongside his brother. He later expanded into Vail, becoming the majority shareholder of Vail Associates, Inc., holding 57 percent by 1978 and serving as chairman by 1979. His portfolio further extended to include ownership of Beaver Creek Resort.

Numismatics and philanthropy

Starting in the mid-1960s, Bass developed an extensive coin collection, frequently participating in auctions and investing millions by 1976. Approximately one-quarter of his assets were allocated to coins, primarily gold pieces dating from the 19th century up to 1933, which were held within a trust. He became a member of the American Numismatic Society in 1966 and ascended to its presidency by 1979.

In 1991, Bass established the Harry W. Bass Jr. Research Foundation to support numismatic studies along with other philanthropic endeavors. In May 2023, this foundation contributed $40 million to The University of Texas at Dallas, resulting in the renaming of its School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology to honor Harry W. Bass Jr.

Personal life

Bass married Mary Mathewson in 1947 and subsequently wed Doris Wampler Calhoun.

Death and legacy

Bass passed away on April 4, 1998, in Dallas and was laid to rest at Sparkman-Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery. After his passing, the Harry W. Bass Jr. Research Foundation combined with the Harry Bass Foundation, resulting in the creation of the Harry W. Bass Jr. Foundation.

The foundation's financial resources are supported by returns from oil ventures as well as revenue generated through auctions of Bass's coin collection, notably including a significant 2014 auction featuring thirty coins held in Dallas.