Richard Bass (BIS)

Portrait on PALS website

Richard Lewis Bass
21 Apr 1939 - 22 Aug 2025

Clubs & Associations

Boots in Squares

Quick Facts

active in Boots in Squares 2007-2012
formed Planning Ahead for LGBT Seniors (PALS), an organization devoted to resources and end-of-life planning for older gays

Media Features

COVID pandemic highlighted importance of advanced care planning COVID pandemic highlighted importance of advanced care planning ^[1]
Never a truer friend was there ^[2]

Service

served as President of Boots in Squares 2008-2010
organized the first fly-in, Swing Thru the Palms

Obituary

Quietly, Richard Bass passed away last week, as friends lived vicariously through his final days after a Stage 4 cancer diagnosis. He documented his final month on Caring Bridge, a platform for family caregivers and the loved ones they support on a health journey.

Richard’s legacy is an organization he founded called PALS, Planning Ahead for LGBTQ+ Seniors, which he founded in 2013. Why? In his words:

As I am getting older, I am experiencing health crises and loss reminiscent of the AIDS crisis of the 80’s and 90’s. Recently, it wasn’t until a friend’s partner suddenly became paralyzed did they begin conversations as to care (now what do we do?). And when another man wasn’t responding to calls or emails, he was discovered deceased after two days with no one having access to his house. Another had prepared no legal documents, resulting in the State making determinations with no knowledge of his wishes.

With no children or affirming family members, many LGBTQ+ people face unique challenges for having such conversations in the first place. At the time, I could only wring my hands as I and others floundered.

Enough! In 2013, I set up a Steering Committee to help guide and develop programs that inform and support planning ahead, while also combating isolation, ageism and sexism in the LGBTQ+ community. I am comforted to be surrounded by scores of pals who now know how to look out for themselves and each other.

Richard’s journey ended as he wished — as a textbook PALS case. All arrangements were made, friends and family keeping tabs on him and fully supporting his wishes. We should all be so fortunate.

I worked with Richard as we were a part of the Positively Aging Conference held each September. (This year’s is Sept. 20th). I dutifully collected their information, and provided a listing on our Gay Desert Guide site for the organization. Now, I’m going to be engaging with PALS to make sure that my wishes are known. So when the time comes, I can pass with dignity like Richard did.
— Brad Fuhr ^[3]