Richard Clark Mast

with congestive heart failure. Just as he dealt with all experiences in life, he managed his illness

with strength and humor. He was surrounded by those he loved most in his final days.

Richard was born in Washington, Iowa on January 10, 1940. He was the son of the late Dr.

Truman Mast and Daurel Clark Mast. As a teenager, he loved playing basketball for the

Washington High Demons and was known to star in high school theater productions. Richard

pursued his undergraduate degree at Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa and his graduate

degree at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, South Dakota. After enduring many

frigid snowy Midwest winters, Richard moved to Miami, Florida to pursue a career in education.

He taught at Miami Dade College for 44 years and retired as a Professor Emeritus. He

completed his Doctorate in Higher Education Administration in 1977 at Nova Southeastern

University in Miami, Florida.

Richard pursued many hobbies and interests throughout his adulthood, spending his time taking

advantage of the Florida sunshine by sailing, beaching, and tending to his tropical plants. He

frequently loaded his two daughters into his VW Vanagon to travel, camp and explore. Richard

loved football and could be found in front of his television on any given Sunday cheering on his

favorite teams or lamenting the most recent Miami Dolphins loss. He also loved to travel and

was able to see the world with his wife Jan, including a favorite cruise to Alaska. While traveling

the world, he honed his photography skills and especially enjoyed photographing sunsets and

shorebirds. He and Jan enjoyed many sunsets at their favorite destination, Sanibel Island.

Richard was best known for his quick wit and engaging sense of humor. Despite his attempts to

convince his family that the Masts are stoic people, he was often found cracking jokes and

making everyone laugh.

He is survived by his wife Janice Mast, his daughters Disa Mast Herring and Carrie Mast Taylor,

his brother Truman Mast, niece Tamara Mast Henderson, and his stepchildren John Mese and

Andrea Mese.

The family held a private event to celebrate Richard’s life and ask that any donations made in

his honor go to Transitions Life Care of Cary. We raise our tumblers of Jack and toast Richard

as the beloved husband, father, stepfather, brother, uncle, friend and teacher that he was. We

will miss him dearly and daily.

Brown-Wynne Funeral Home and Cremations is honored to be serving the Mast family. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared within "add a memory".