Dick Bass

Discussion Topic

Return to Forum List

This thread has been locked

Messages 1 - 12 of total 12 in this topic

JerryA

Mountain climber

Sacramento,CA

Topic Author's Original Post - Jul 31, 2015 - 07:37am PT

Was he the Rodney Dangerfield of climbing ?

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jul 31, 2015 - 08:10am PT

He seemed an engaging chap according to the LA Times obit:

http://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-0730-richard-bass-20150730-story.html#page=2

But he wasn't one to draw out others in a conversation:

According to one widely circulated story, he was on a cross-country flight when, in his loquacious way, he deluged his seatmate for hours with details of his treks on all seven continents. As they were about to land, he realized he hadn't paused to ask his new friend anything about himself, his job, or even his name.

"That's OK," the man responded, extending his hand. "I'm Neil Armstrong."

DOH!

edit:
If you look at the second photo in the LATimes obit be sure you swallow yer coffee before
you read the caption. LOL!

Jaybro

Social climber

Wolf City, Wyoming

Jul 31, 2015 - 08:20am PT

No respect.....

apogee

climber

Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy

Jul 31, 2015 - 09:30am PT

Is that guy still alive?

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jul 31, 2015 - 09:41am PT

I guess Apogee doesn't know what an "obit" is? ;-)

Gene

climber

Jul 31, 2015 - 09:46am PT

what an "obit" is?

Didn't they send that Neil Armstrong guy into obit before heading to the moon?

apogee

climber

Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy

Jul 31, 2015 - 10:17am PT

Nah...I was just hoping to spur one of those Tom Jones inflate-a-head images...

rottingjohnny

Sport climber

mammoth lakes ca

Jul 31, 2015 - 11:27am PT

Did Tom Jones die...?

Fat Dad

Trad climber

Los Angeles, CA

Jul 31, 2015 - 03:02pm PT

Wow, what a thread.

I actually got to meet Dick Bass about 30 yrs. ago. I was working at Disneyland as a Matterhorn climber while finishing up my undergrad at UCLA. The top of the mountain is about 6' x 6' with a large square access hatch. I was up top belaying up my partner, waving to the crowds and such, when the hatch opens and up pops Dick Bass and Frank Wells. They were in the midst of their Seven Summits campaign and I guess couldn't resist a trip to the top.

Although Frank was nice but reserved, Dick was a blast. Just a real friendly good ol' boy, even to a nothing 21 yr. college kid. I had a feeling he was out to bag some summits just for the fun of it. Who wouldn't if you had the time and the money he did? RIP Dick.