Dr. John Burrell Bass, Jr.

He did what he could

In the time that he had

In the place that he was—John Bass

Dr. John Burrell Bass Jr., one of the founding faculty members at the University of South Ala­bama College of Medicine and one of Alabama’s most prolific medical educators passed away on December 16, 2017. He was 73.

A fourth-generation physician and native of Gadsden, AL, he attended Auburn and Tulane Universities, and earned his Doctor of Medicine Degree from Tulane University. He completed his internship and residen­cy in Internal medicine at the University of Alabama in Birming­ham, where he served as Chief Medical Resident and Fellow in Pulmonary Medicine.

A faculty member for over 40 years at the University of South Ala­bama, Dr. Bass served as Professor and Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine as well as Director of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine. He was one of the leading experts nationally and internationally on tuberculosis care and prevention, published extensively, and served on national committees for the American Thoracic Society and Centers for Disease Control Prevention. He was a Master in the American College of Physicians, and served with distinction as Governor for the Alabama Chapter.

Of all of his professional achievements and accolades, Dr. Bass was most proud of his role as a medical educator. He taught thou­sands of medical students at USA and directly trained many gen­erations of pulmonary and critical care physicians. He took pride in the fact that he was the only faculty member to have lectured every medical student since the school was established. He had a unique and gracious teaching style, often weaving literature or musical references into his lessons, and was beloved and re­spected by his residents and colleagues for his tremendous intel­lect and giving nature. He received numerous teaching awards, including the Best Clinical Professor, the Distinguished Faculty Award, and a prestigious Mastership with the American College of Physicians/American Society of Internal Medicine. His teaching was so influential that the college’s award for Best Clinical Profes­sor was renamed the John Bass Teaching Award in his honor.

A lover of music and literature, he was equally as comfortable with a banjo in his hands as a stethoscope, discussing great books with friends, or leading Bible study in only the way he could. He would recite Shakespeare or sing bluegrass depending on the situation and had a deep love for his family and friends and cherished time with them.

Dr. Bass was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. John Burrell Bass and Helon Hayden Bass of Gadsden, AL, and is survived by his wife Rebecca Fordham Bass; children John Burrell Bass III (Johnnie) of Memphis, TN and Anna Fordham Bass of Houston, TX; grandchildren Ella Rose Bass and Nathaniel Jay Bass; brother Dr. Robert Winston Bass (Kathy), sister Sue Bass Erwin (Robert); nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. (visitation at 10:00 a.m.) at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Mobile, AL.

In his own words and at his request: No donations. No flowers. If he had a positive influence on your life have a celebration in remembrance of it. Arrange­ments by Ascension Funer­als & Cremations, 1016 Hill­crest Road, Mobile, Alabama 36695.