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Bruce H. Mason Obituary
Bruce Harrison Mason
July 28, 1938- September 8, 2023
On Friday, September 8, 2023, Bruce Harrison Mason, 85, loving husband and father of three, passed away at Mission Palms Skilled Nursing Facility in Mesa, AZ
Bruce was born on July 28, 1938 at St. Ann’s Hospital in La Crosse, WI to Paul H. and Mary Jane (Helpling) Mason. He was a 1962 graduate of Anderson High School in Anderson, IN. From there he headed to Purdue University where he met and married his wife of 60 years, Judy (Burns). While at Purdue, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in geology, where he acquired his lifelong passion for rocks and minerals.
Bruce began his professional career as an engineer and geologist with the Indiana Department of Transportation, and in 1967, he joined the France Stone Company as engineer and geologist. In 1973, he was promoted to Vice President of Property and Product Development, later becoming the director of the France Stone Laboratory as well. In 1989, Bruce was named the Executive Director of the Indiana Mineral Aggregates Association, a position he served with distinction until his retirement in 2003.
A frequent guest lecturer at civic and professional organizations, he was never happier than when he was sharing his love of rocks and minerals with classroom teachers and their students. He would often appear dressed as a crusty old hard rock miner with a knapsack filled with the tools of the trade. Always an avid rock hound, Bruce enjoyed collecting rock and mineral samples, which he often shared with his audience.
As a certified professional geologist, Bruce was a member of the Society of Mining Engineers (president 1996-1999 & trustee), the American Institute of Professional Geologists, the National Stone Association, and the National Association of Association Directors. He was also a member of the Red Mountain Community Church.
In 2000, he was named AggMan Professional of the Year by Aggregates Manager magazine. A highly esteemed professional in his field, Bruce received the following honors:
• “Rocky Award” from the Ohio Aggregates Association (1989)
• “Distinguished Service Award” from the Society of Mining, Metallurgy &
Exploration (1996)
• Association Director of the Year from the National Stone Association (1996)
• “Robert A. Wilkerson Award” from the Ohio Aggregate Association (2002)
• Indiana Geologists “Distinguished Service Award” (2003)
• Inducted into the Indiana Mineral Aggregates Association Hall of Fame (2003)
In 2005 he and his wife moved to Mesa, AZ, where they enjoyed “riding around”, volunteering at church, and hiking in the beautiful Sonoran Desert. An avid sports fan, Bruce enjoyed following his favorite teams, especially his beloved Boilermakers. He also loved summering in Colorado on vacations with his wife, children, and grandchildren.
Bruce was preceded in death by his father, Paul, his mother, Mary Jane, and his sister Mary Pauline Mason. He is survived by his wife, his sister Jude (Mason) Zetting of Brown Deer, WI, brother Douglas Mason of Wolcott, IN, daughter Theresa (Mason) Riffle of Hanover, MD, sons Brian and Eric Mason of Mesa, AZ, and grandsons Jeremy and Joshua Riffle whom he fondly referred to as his Super J’s.
A celebration of a life well-lived will be held at a future date in Indiana for family and friends.
Bruce made a significant impact at the Association and on the Indiana aggregates industry as a whole, leading the organization through the 90s and establishing programs that remain successful to this day such as the Public Information and Education (PIE) Committee and the Teachers’ Workshop (now the BLAST Institute), the Environmental Stewardship Council, and the Certified Aggregates Producer Program with INDOT just to name a few.
If you would like to leave a message for Bruce’s family, please visit the Mountain View Funeral Home website.