Born in 1933, the son of a chemist, growing up in Midland, Michigan “within nose range” of Dow Chemical, and a fascination with the creative potential of “tailor-making” compounds for specific tasks may be among factors enticing Dolf Bass into a chemical career. He received his B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Michigan (1956) and his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin (1960 under W.S. Johnson). During his two years of USAF duty, he helped set up a laboratory and research program on solar energy conversion systems at the AF Cambridge Research Laboratories near Boston. In 1963, after a year’s postdoctoral photochemistry research project at Harvard under E.J. Corey, Dolf joined the Kodak Research Laboratories. Over the years he explored diverse areas of photographic chemistry including image application systems, silver complexes, physical development, lithography, color couplers, sensitizing dyes, and diffusion transfer studies. As Research Associate in the Emulsion Research Division patent liaison group, he did patent searches, assisted attorneys in patenting inventions, and assessed other manufacturers’ technical advances. He was part of a technical intelligence group focusing on Kodak competitors’ environmental efforts when he retired in 1991.
In retirement, Dolf continued active involvement in the Webster Presbyterian Church. This included a third term as Elder, chairing a pastor search committee, resettling Sudanese refugees, serving on Trustees and the Stewardship & Budget Committee, writing WPC’s annual financial reviews, helping select organists and choir directors, and working on successful energy conservation construction projects. As a choir member for more than 40 years, he’s “the tenor with the longest tenure”. In 1971 he co-chaired the University of Life lecture series program sponsored by the Webster Council of Churches.
Dolf has been active in the Rochester Section for more than four decades, both behind the scenes and in leadership positions, and was the 1983 Rochester Section Award recipient. In addition to serving as 1975 Section Chairman, he has chaired the High School Teachers’ Night, Education, Centennial, Spring Lecture Series, and Long Range Planning committees. He also worked on NERM 11 and 17, Nominating, Program, High School Teachers’ Award, Membership Affairs, and Rochester Section Questionnaire committees. He has served as Alternate Councilor (1978-9, 1988, 1990-1) as Councilor (1980-7, 1989) and on the national ACS Committee on Patents and Related Matters (1983-91). While Section Chairman, he was instrumental in launching the local Technician Affiliate Group and in mounting the Operation Interface program to foster better cooperation and communication between members in industry and local colleges. In many of these activities he encouraged others toward a more active ACS participation. He initiated a Section investment program replacing low-yield CDs with much higher yielding mutual funds. In recent years he’s been active with the Retired Chemists Committee.
Dolf’s interest in encouraging innovation led him to organize and chair a national ACS innovation symposium and a very well received 1983 Rochester ACS lecture series entitled, “The High Tech Innovation Challenge – Creativity, Productivity and Invention”. He was successful in obtaining some financial backing from the ACS Program Development Fund and persuading other local professional societies to assist in cooperative sponsorship.
Married in 1959, Dolf and his wife Edie live in Webster and have four daughters -- Kristin, Erika, and twins Berit and Margrit. Dolf enjoys writing birthday verses for their five grandchildren. For relaxation he enjoys reading, travel, Sudoku, and swimming nearly a mile weekdays at the Y. His travel has included several cruises, many with family. He’s been involved with fundraising for the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and served six years on the Bayview YMCA Board. Dolf has been happy to work with and learn from so many able and dedicated people in various efforts over the years.
Lew Allen
