Dr. Bass was born in Pike Co., Alabama, and grew up in Troy. He received his B.S. degree from Troy University and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Auburn University. He met Merle Findley, of Andalusia, at TU and they were married in 1956. Bass went on the faculty at Auburn in 1960 and was involved in research and teaching there until 1980. In 1980 he accepted a position with University of Georgia as Professor and Department Head of Entomology at the UGA Coastal Plain Experiment Station in Tifton Georgia.

During his career he published 120 refereed scientific articles, two book chapters and one book. While at A.U. he was major professor for 35 successful graduate students and was the State Coordinator for the IR-4 regional research project. He served on the Auburn City Board for two terms and was President during his second term. At UGA he was National Coordinator for the IR-4 project and served as President of the South Eastern Branch of the Entomological Society of America. Before his retirement from UGA he was moved up from Department Head to serve as Resident Director of the University of Georgia Coastal Plain Experiment Station. After retiring from UGA he served on the Tift County Board of Tax Assessors and on the Ethics Board of the Tift County Regional Hospital.

After returning to Auburn, Max was active in the First Baptist Church, where he served on many committees as well as serving as a Deacon and Assistant Treasurer.

Dr. Bass is survived by his wife and partner, Merle Findley Bass; four daughters, Susan Boudman (Jeff), a radiation technologist; Dr. Nancy Lundy (Bo), a physician; Jennifer Lamonte (Kirk), a business woman; and Joan Bass, a high school counselor; eight grandchildren, Marion Boudman, Alex Lamonte, Joe Lundy, Arthur Boudman, Olivia Demarta, Stephen Lundy, Max Boudman, Bailey Lamonte; niece, Teresa Bass; and nephew, Lonnie Bass. He was preceded in death by his parents, Grady Shelvy Bass and Sylvia Lee Finch Bass of Troy.

Dr. Bass loved his profession, his church, and most of all his family.

Memorial service for Dr. Bass is 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, 2013 at Auburn First Baptist Church with reception to follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be directed to the American Cancer Society, or Auburn First Baptist Church.

Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home & Crematory is directing. www.jeffcoattrant.com