Bob and Mary Mason: Their Lives and Local Involvements
Oral History
BOB AND MARY MASON
Saugatuck Retirees Who Made a Difference
March 19, 2011
Charlaine and John Shack met Mary and Bob Mason for their oral history interview at the Mason's Grant Street home of almost 30 years. The interview was hastened by the news that they were leaving Saugatuck to live in an assisted living community near Chicago where they would be closer to family.
This interview was done in three parts:
Chapter 1 covers Bob and Mary's lives up to their retirement move to Saugatuck. This includes their early influences, schools, meeting in college, career activities, their three daughters, Mary's volunteer and work activities, Bob's significant law career, and their Great Lakes sailing adventures.
Chapter 2 covers Bob's decision to leave the practice of law and try his hand at running a business in Holland, MI. It includes the extensive involvement of both Bob and Mary in numerous community developments including dunes conservation, library support development, historic preservation, and interface with several boards for which Bob constructed bylaws. In addition, Mary worked hard for the preservation of a Democratic party in Allegan County. Bob's description of the Denison south property purchasing struggle is especially enlightening.
Chapter 3 contains powerful statements made by both Bob and Mary about the future challenges of the Saugatuck area.
Dune Conservancy
Lake Kalamazoo cleanup and dredging
Area government consolidation
Historical preservation

2024.41.212
Family HistoryHistoric Preservation
Winthers, Sally
2024.41
Found in Collection
To view this recording, scroll down to the bottom of this entry and click the blue web link. This video was created by Saugatuck-Douglas History Center volunteers or was donated to the Center in a good faith effort to preserve local history. If you feel this content should not be available to the public — or have additional information that will add context to this interview — please contact the SDHC Archives at [email protected].
Mason, BobMason, Mary
Shack, JohnShack, Charlaine
Mar 19, 2011
Oral History DVD/CDs
AWS/VidArch SSD/DVD originals drawer
Mason, BobMason, Mary
11/09/2024
06/24/2025