Myles L. Bass, 71, Penn lecturer

By Claudia Vargas Inquirer Staff Writer - Posted on Sat, Oct. 2, 2010

Myles L. Bass, 71, of Moorestown, a longtime lecturer at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a private tutor who participated in the development of dozens of South Jersey businesses, died of lung cancer Friday, Oct. 1, at home.

Though teaching was his love and anchor, Mr. Bass teamed with many entrepreneurs throughout the years to help launch businesses here and abroad. By the mid-1980s, he had developed more than 30 businesses, ranging from marketing to real estate deals.

Business partners sought him out for his practical approach, his family said.

"He could figure out all the numbers," said his wife, Marianne. "He could always see the big picture."

Even former mob boss Ralph Natale consulted Mr. Bass for his financial and investment expertise.

His teaching influence is evident among executives throughout the country. Seth Berger, founder and former chief executive officer of AND1, a Wharton School graduate, credited Mr. Bass as the one who "got him started."

From 1977 to 2001, Mr. Bass taught courses in entrepreneurship and management at the Wharton School. Some of his business ventures teamed him with recent Wharton graduates.

Since 1962, Mr. Bass had run a one-man tutoring business in Pennsauken, MLB Tutoring Co. He helped students prepare for SATs, LSATs, and even medical board exams. He also did some college counseling, his wife said.

"He was very much a people person," his wife said. "He always had his tutorial. . . . He taught up to two weeks ago."

Mr. Bass made time for everyone and could discuss any subject at length, those who knew him said. He could discuss global warming at length and switch to talking about 1958 Phillies statistics, said Ilene Mackler, who is married to Mr. Bass' cousin.

"He was intellectually so brilliant," she said.

Mr. Bass was born and raised in Camden and graduated from Bordentown Military Institute in 1956.

He graduated from Rutgers University in the early 1960s with a bachelor's degree in social science and subsequently started his tutoring company.

In 1991, he married Marianne Kovalesky.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Bass is survived by son Michael; daughter Rachel; and a sister.

Relatives and friends are invited at 9:15 a.m. Sunday to Platt Memorial Chapels, 2001 Berlin Rd. in Cherry Hill. The funeral will be held there at 10 a.m.

Interment will be in Crescent Memorial Park.