Bruce Frederick Mason

Bruce Frederick Mason - Memorial Bruce Frederick Mason, 61, of Clarkdale, AZ, passed peacefully at his home holding his wife, Susan's hand on November 29, 2007. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on December 28, 1945 to his surviving parents, Harold F. and Louise M. (Reimers) Mason of Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina. Bruce graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1970 and received his Master's of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix in 1987. He joined the US Army in 1972 and served as a nuclear medicine technician at Beaumont General Hospital, El Paso, Texas. He remained in El Paso after the army, working as manager of the internal medicine department at Hotel Dieu Hospital until 1979 when he accepted the position of Imaging Laboratory Director (1979-1987), at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Tucson, AZ. While at the Tucson VA Medical Center, Bruce worked in several management positions, including strategic planning, budget analysis, construction planning, program development, and later as Administrative Director. He brought over $12mil into the Medical Center for special programs and medical equipment, and developed a $65mil construction plan for a new hospital out patient wing, which was built after his retirement. His leadership, dedication and organizational skills were paramount in the development of the new wing for the expansion and re-opening of the CODAC - Trudeau Child Development Center, where he served in a voluntary capacity as Treasurer (1991-1997) and President (1997-2000). After his retirement Bruce moved to Flagstaff, Arizona, where he performed over 1000 hours of volunteer service at the Coconino County Parks and Recreation Department, the Museum of Northern Arizona and the University of Arizona County Extension Service, doing various activities from teaching classes to writing grants. He developed and organized the Coconino County Fair in 2004, and assisted new staff in developing and managing the 2005 Coconino County Fair, including recruitment and scheduling of local and regional entertainment. Bruce was very involved at the Museum of Northern Arizona as a docent. He also wrote grant proposals for the Museum and for Special Kids Photography. While at the museum he touched the hearts of all he worked with as well as the special groups of children and adults who he guided through the museum and special projects. Bruce had many hobbies. He was an avid star gazer and mastered the technology of Astro photography. He was a master model builder creating museum quality boats and aircraft. He had a great love for aviation and built numerous models which he flew at the local field in Cottonwood. He developed a love for sailing as a boy and enjoyed sailing, kayaking and river rafting. He was also a wood carver and a collector of museum quality Native American artifacts and rugs. There were so many things Bruce was interested in and accomplished with both vigor and expertise. Not to mention, he was an outstanding cook! Bruce was proud of his many accomplishments and contributions to the communities in which he lived and will be especially remembered for his great love for the out-of-doors. The following represents most of his accomplishments and interests: -Boy Scouts of America: Eagle Scout and Order of the Arrow. -Society of Nuclear Medicine 1977, and Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist 1978. -Commercial Pilot's License and Flight Instructor Certification (1978). -Glider pilot and instructor. -American Mountain Man and Tucson Mountain Man (1980-1988) and gun maker and restorer. -Member: Titanic Historical Society 1991-1995. -Boy Scouts of America: Scout Master 1992-2000. -Southern Arizona Academic Decathlon Association- Board Member 1996-2000. -Project ASTRO: Astronomy classes and activities for 5th and 6th grade students, a National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration (NAOA) sanctioned educational program at the University of Arizona, Partner 1998-2000. -Boy Scouts of America: Summer Scout Camp Staff Member 1999. -Coconino County Parks and Recreation Commission, Commissioner for District 4 (2001-2006). -Instrumental in the formation of the Board of Friends of Coconino County Parks \u0026 served on the Board (2001-2007) whose main mission is to support Coconino County Parks \u0026 Recreation's efforts in the areas of land conservation and management, and park development and operation. -Coconino County Fairs (2004-2006) educational opportunities and quality cultural presentations and entertainment. -Docent - Museum of Northern Arizona (2004-2006). -Certified Master Naturalist from the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Service, Flagstaff, 2003. -Member: Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA). -Member: CAM (Central Arizona Modelers). -Member: Astronomers of Verde Valley. -Member: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. -FFOTM (Flagstaff Friends of Traditional Music) - proposed the annual bluegrass festival "Pickin\u0027 in the Pines", 2006. Bruce was a warrior, a comedian, a friend, a gentleman and a gentle man. He made a difference in so many lives with his dignity, diverse knowledge, kindness and his gentle manner and ability to bring humor to any situation. Respected by past co-workers, family and friends alike, he will leave a tremendous void in so many lives. Bruce and Susan were married in Clarkdale, Arizona on May 20, 2006. He leaves behind his wife, parents, sister Laurel (David) Wright of Columbus, IN and his brother Michael (Polly) Mason of Columbus, OH, nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, 6 children and 19 grandchildren, and his two cats Boo and Pawley, and a yellow lab named Mikey. Memorial funds have been created in Bruce's memory at the following organizations: Send to: Bruce Mason Memorial c/o Museum of Northern Arizona 3103 N. Fort Valley Flagstaff, AZ 86001 Attn: Karen Enyedy Or to: Bruce Mason Memorial c/o Friends of Coconino County Parks HC 39, Box 3A Flagstaff, AZ 86001