LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Lewis "Sonny" Bass, the co-founder of Humana and a member of the University of Louisville Athletics Hall of Famer, died Friday at Baptist Hospital East at the age of 99.
Bass' name is featured on the Cardinals' tennis complex. Bass played football for three seasons at U of L starting in 1940. He was a offensive blocking back and a strongside defensive linebacker. Bass also played on the Cardinals' basketball team for two seasons.
In 1961, Bass helped found Humana. He also founded Bass and Weisberg Realty, which was a a marketing director and partner for 40 movie theatres.
"Deeply saddened to hear that we’ve lost Sonny Bass to COVID-19," Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer said in a tweet Saturday. "Sonny was a great athlete, teacher, friend and mentor. He made an enormous impact on our city as a businessman and philanthropist, particularly with his beloved [University of Louisville].
"But his greatest impact came from the individual smiles he brought to everyone he met, with his magic, jokes and belief that our first calling is to lift each other up," Fischer added. "Sonny’s extraordinary wife, Gladys, and the entire Bass family are in our thoughts."
Bass was inducted into the U of L Athletics Hall of Fame in 1994. In 1995, he was awarded the University of Louisville's Hickman-Camp Award, which is given each year to a person or persons who have provided special service in support of Cardinal Athletics.
"It’s hard to measure the impact that Sonny and the Bass family have had on our campus and athletics program over many decades, other than in our hearts," athletic director Vince Tyra said. "It’s easy to measure the impact on our hearts with the sadness that we feel today. Our gratitude and sympathy go out to the Bass family. Card Nation lost a Hall of Fame supporter today."
Bass was an active supporter of the Louisville Athletics and served as a member on the U of L Board of Overseers. Bass and his wife, Gladys, contributed $500,000 for construction of the Bass-Rudd Tennis Center and funded a bronze statue of the Cardinal Bird perched at the entrance to Cardinal Arena at the U of L Student Activities Center.
Louisville Metro Council President David James said Bass "left an endearing mark on all who knew him."
"He never forgot his city as he became successful in business. He especially loved to help and entertain children," said James, D-6, in a statement. "... He was an amateur magician who loved to entertain and brings a smile to your face. He and his wife Gladys helped many groups and organizations in our city and beyond."
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