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Obituary for Robert Lee Mason Jr.
Robert Lee Mason Jr. 91, passed away on Friday, January 1, 2021. He was born to the late Robert Lee Mason Sr. and Jeffie Fitzpatrick mason on November 18, 1929 in Eatonton, GA. Bob is lovingly remembered by his wife Rachel Rountree Mason and daughters Debbie Mason Williams (John), Bonnie Lee Mason and Elizabeth Rebecca Mason, eight grandchildren Morgan Williams, Jonathan Williams (Savannah), Amber Mize, Jordan Mize, Hayley Mize, Victoria Mason, Sarah Mason, Savannah Mason and 5 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Martha Mason Forney, son Richard Lee Mason, daughter Martha Lianne Mason. Bob was graduated from the Eatonton public school system in 1946 at the age of 16 where only 11 grades at that time, since there he started college at this young age and interrupted his education to serve in the U.S. Marines. He returned to civilian life only to be called back in for the Korean War, he served on a warship and was stationed in Guantanamo Bay where he loaded bombs onto the planes that flew over North Korea. Upon completing his military service, Bob returned to Mercer University in Macon and graduated in 1955. He then attended Emory University Candler School of Theology in Atlanta. He moved to New Orleans and earned a Masters in Religious Education in 1959. Bob taught public school in Florida in the early 1960’s. By 1964 Bob had returned to Georgia moving his young family to Athens, here he graduated with another Masters degree in counseling. Two years later in 1966 he received this doctorate in counseling psychology. In an unusual move he was offered a job in the University of GA counseling and guidance center. After three years in that capacity he expanded his skills as a counseling psychologist and was also licensed as a marriage and family therapist, mental health division University of Georgia student health service. He worked there until retirement in 1981. While there he made many innovative and popular changes. He was interviewed in an article that appeared in Time Magazine regarding these changes as a prototype for university health services across the nation. Several other Universities sent people to observe and copy the format for this “night clinic.” Bob wrote three books: How to Choose the Wrong Marriage Partner and Live Unhappily Ever After, The Clergyman and the Psychiatrist: When to Refer, and A Guide for Parents and Teachers in the Early Recognition of Mental and Nervous Disorders in Children. He also published several journal articles in various scholarly journals and presented several papers at Professional Conventions around the U.S. He received several awards and was in Who’s Who in GA for several years. Despite his busy schedule Bob always had time for his family and friends. He loved to take his family on camping trips, river rafting, and hiking on the Appalachian Trail. He was an avid gardener and spent many hours landscaping and gardening. He had a love of flowers and plants especially roses. He was known as a gentle giant with a calm but caring presence. This persona was enchanced by a sharp wit and a love of reading. He was an avid baseball fan and of course a fan of the Dawgs. Many of his former patients stayed in touch with him for years, expressing gratitude for his help while at UGA. He appreciated that they kept him informed of their progress, career moves and life changes. He will be sorely missed by his family and friends.
