Harry Wesley Bass Sr.

Harry Wesley Bass (April 9, 1895 – February 18, 1970) was an American businessman and philanthropist. Trained as a banker, he became an oil and gas explorer in the wake of the Texas oil boom and developed the A-frame derrick. He was the founder and chairman of many oil and gas companies in Oklahoma and Texas as well as the Goliad Oil and Gas Corporation, active in Canada. He endowed a new building for the Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas.

Early life He was born on April 9, 1895, in Enid, Oklahoma. During World War I, he served in the 82nd Field Artillery Regiment of the United States Army.

Philanthropy Bass founded the Harry Bass Foundation in 1945. In 1965, he donated US$500,000 to the Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas, where the Wilma Bass Memorial Hall, a building for female patients, was named in honor of his wife.

Personal life Bass married Wilma Schuessler. They had two sons, Harry W. Bass, Jr. and Richard Bass. His wife died in 1963.

Death and legacy Bass died on February 18, 1970, in Dallas, Texas. His funeral was held at the Highland Park United Methodist Church. After his death, his investments were inherited by his sons. Meanwhile, his philanthropic foundation merged with his son Harry's after his death.