Ronald J. Mason

Ronald J. Mason, scholar, teacher, writer, researcher, beloved dad and grampa died on September 5, 2023, fourteen weeks after the loss of his beloved wife and life’s partner, Carol. He was born in Windsor, Ontario on October 11,1929 and moved to Philadelphia as a child. While attending Germantown Academy, he became a dedicated volunteer in the research section of the University of Pennsylvania Museum, sparking his lifelong passion for anthropology and archeology. He attended Penn with an interruption for service in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, serving in, of all places, Iceland. After the war, Ron finished his bachelor’s degree and went on to graduate studies at the University of Michigan where he earned his PhD.

Ron worked in many places during his early career including the New Jersey State Museum, the National Park Service and Neville Public Museum in Green Bay. His early field work in northeastern Wisconsin let to his substantial understanding of the cultural richness of the area. He specifically focused on Native Americans and spent his scholarly life working to understand their many historic contributions and inspiring others to appreciate their cultures, both historic and present. Ron joined the faculty of Lawrence University in 1961 where he remained until retirement. He thoroughly enjoyed his years at Lawrence, where teaching and doing research were his primary goals. Stories of Mason courses were legend amongst Lawrence students, and he was known for being a demanding, yet encouraging and supportive teacher. Ron was named the Henry M. Wriston Chair of Social Sciences and received the Excellence in Teaching award during his tenure at Lawrence.

Ron was a founding member of the Canadian Archeological Society and held memberships in regional and national organizations. He continued to contribute to scholarly work throughout his life, including after his retirement in 1995. He also served on a National Science Foundation panel that awarded minority fellowships and received the Increase Lapham medal for archeological research in Wisconsin.

He is survived by his children Victoria Runnoe and Peter Mason; daughter-in-law Samantha Mason along with his four grandchildren Alexandra (Isaac) Shrier (nee Runnoe), Robert Mason, Matthew Mason and Samuel Runnoe. Other survivors include his sister Shirley Waters and brother-in-law, John (Jack) Waters, sister-in-law Joan Irwin along with numerous cousins and nieces and nephews. According to his wishes no services will be held. Instead, raise a glass of wine or port in his memory and if you are inspired, leave a gift to the Ronald J. and Carol I. Mason Fund for Excellence in Anthropology at Lawrence University to support student research and scholarship.