Bill Bass
Forensic Anthropologist
“Success is not just the amount of money you make; it's more intellectual. I mean, I am happy, happy, and I'm making enough to eat, but not a lot.”
Videos
By Roadtrip NationBill Bass
Milestones
My road in life has been direct.
Grew up as an only child in an educated family; both parents had college degrees, unusual for 1920s.
Had been studying osteology when a professor invited him to come help him ID a body.
Arrived on the scene of a great mystery-two trucks had crashed, but there was a third body, in addition to two drivers.
When his professor was able to positively identify the third person, "like in the cartoons," a light went on.
Switched his major immediately, knew he wanted to go into forensic anthropology.
Never had a midlife crisis because he knows he made the right choice.
In general, he hates death and funerals, but in his profession, a dead body is a challenge, brings him a strange joy.
Knows what he does "matters," brings closure to families, brings criminals to justice.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Bachelor
University of Virginia-Main Campus
University of Virginia-Main Campus
Career
Forensic Anthropologist
I created the body farm where we conduct forensic research into how bodies decompose over time.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Medicine
Science
Problem Solving
Interviewed By
Atlanta - Cleveland
Aaron, Liz, and Autumn settle into life on the Road, enjoying each other and the cities that they visit. Driving on to Georgia, they interview Kyle Maynard, a young man born with congenital amputation, who became a college award-winning wrestler and an entrepreneur. From there, the team heads into Tennessee to speak
with Dr. Bill Bass, forensic anthropologist, which is a significant moment for Liz. In Cleveland, they visit with Van Taylor Monroe, sneaker artist, whose custom-painted Obama sneakers were donated to the Smithsonian Museum.
