Dr. Robert Duane Mason
Dr. Robert Duane Mason
Cedar Rapids
We are sad to announce our beloved father, Dr. Robert Duane Mason, passed peacefully at the age of 94 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.
Dr. Robert Duane Mason was born in Algona, Iowa, the second child of James Earl Mason Sr. and Neva Darnell Mason on March 24, 1930. Bob was raised in Mason City with his older brother James Earl Mason, Jr. He graduated from Mason City High School and North Iowa Community College.
At the onset of the Korean War, Bob enlisted in the Air Force and trained in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was assigned to Air Force Weapons Maintenance. He was posted to England and served loading bombs on planes. He traveled throughout Europe, enjoyed skiing in Switzerland and attended a Wimbledon match. Bob was Honorably Discharged from the Air Force in December 1954.
After the service, using the G.I. Bill, Bob attended the University of Iowa’s Dental College. Bob’s maternal grandfather, George Washington Darnell, had been one of the early dental students at The University of Iowa’s School of Dentistry. Dr. George Darnell practiced dentistry in Clear Lake, IA.
While at dental school, Bob met Karla Andersen, a student at the University of Iowa. They married in 1956. While in school Bob worked as a nurse’s aide in the burn unit at the University of Iowa hospital. He qualified as an aide through his dental studies.
After graduating in 1959, he and Karla packed up the ‘49 Chevy that his parents gifted them and moved to Cedar Rapids. Bob began his dental career in the office of Dr. Justin Dunn. Later, he established his own practice which he maintained until retirement.
Bob and Karla had two sons, Scott Andrew Mason and two years later (to the day!) they welcomed Paul Robert Mason to the family.
As a member of Cedar Rapids Country Club, Bob enjoyed golf, a game at which he excelled. He was also a dedicated bridge player. In his home’s basement, he built radio-controlled airplanes and boats. He shared these interests, along with skiing and fishing, with his sons. He and Karla later divorced.
Bob married Anne Edwards in January of 1988. After retirement Bob and Anne enjoyed traveling and lived in Naples, Florida and Pinehurst, North Carolina before returning to North Liberty, Iowa to be near family.
Bob is survived by his sons Scott (Dianne) Mason of Amana, Iowa, Paul (Natalie) Mason of Cincinnati, Ohio, granddaughters, Sydney (Rachel) Eisenmann of Iowa City, Abigail (Tom) Smith of Cedar Rapids, Cassidy Mason of Cincinnati, Ohio, and one great-granddaughter Cora Smith (Abby and Tom), as well as his former spouse Karla Forrest.
Bob is preceded in death by his parents Earl and Neva Mason, brother and sister-in-law Earl and Helen Mason, and his wife Anne Mason.
Private family committal services with military honors will be held at Oakland Cemetery in Iowa City at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association in Bob’s name as a remembrance of his kindness to all he met.
Online condolences at www.lensingfuneral.com.