Robert Bass Biography

Robert Muse Bass is an American businessman and philanthropist. He is the chairman of Aerion Corporation, an American aerospace firm in Reno, Nevada. Bass was worth approximately $5.5 billion in 2007, and $4 billion in 2010 on oil and other investments

Life

Bass was born into a wealthy family with an uncle, Sid Richardson, worth $810 million. He and his three brothers Lee, Ed, and Sid Bass all attended Yale University. Working together with his brothers at first as Bass Brothers Enterprises and then working independently, Robert Bass made many successful investments through his own firm, the Robert M. Bass Group, later Keystone Inc. Most recently, in 2004 he started Aerion Corp to develop supersonic corporate jets, which is the beneficiary of lucrative Federal DARPA contracts.

The Bass family has done well (overall) with its investment strategy and has in fact lost money in order to make money. This is typified by the investments made by Richard Rainwater, with whom he attended Stanford Business School.

Mr. Bass' father, Perry Richardson Bass, died at the age of 91 in June 2006. The Fort Worth Star Telegram stated "Perry Richardson Bass, a Texas oilman who turned his riches into philanthropic gold for Fort Worth, the state and the nation...." according to the obituary published in the Star Telegram on 06/02/2006.

Robert M. Bass continues with the family's philanthropic tradition. The Bass family is noted for their developments in Tarrant County, Texas and their efforts to revitalize downtown Fort Worth.

Mr. Bass lives in Woodside, California.

Corporate profile

As chairman of Aerion Corporation, Bass leads the investor group funding development of a supersonic business jet and heads the company's board of directors.

Bass is president of Keystone, Inc. and the founder of the Oak Hill Capital Partners investment partnerships, with over $12 billion of investments across multiple asset classes. Since inception 21 years ago, the track record of private equity investments exceeds 50% annually. Keystone and its affiliates have made significant investments in American Savings Bank, Align Technology, Bell & Howell Company, Cincinnati Bell, Prime Cable, Taft Broadcasting, Westin Hotels, and many other leading companies.

Bass is a native of Fort Worth, where his offices are based. He received his B.A. degree from Yale University and an MBA degree from Stanford Graduate School of Business. He is past Chairman of Stanford University, Stanford Management Company, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and Cook Children's Medical Center. He is a Trustee of Stanford University, a Director of Stanford Management Company, and a Trustee of Rockefeller University, Groton School, Middlesex School, and the Amon Carter Museum.

In addition, he is heavily committed to and active in numerous civic, community and development activities for the benefit of his community and his state and has been recognized repeatedly for his efforts.

Philanthropy

Duke University

In 2013, Bass and his wife donated $50 million to Duke University to support Bass Connections, an initiative to encourage cross disciplinary collaboration and studies. In 2001, Bass and his wife donated $10 million to Duke to strengthen undergraduate teaching. They also donated 10 million in 1996 to establish the Bass Society of Fellows at Duke.

Stanford University

In 2005, Bass and his wife donated $30 million to the Graduate School of Business.

Yale University

Bass and his wife Anne donated $13 million to fund the renovation of Yale's Cross Campus Library, which was renamed the Bass Library.

Personal

Bass is married to Anne T. Bass. They have four children together.