A Legacy of Service and Kindness

There is an old saying about not judging a book by its cover. Robert Mason, a Froedtert Hospital volunteer who logged nearly 23,000 hours of service during his lifetime, fits that description exactly. 

Quiet and unassuming, Robert started volunteering in March of 1999, not long after his wife Irma received treatment under the care of Froedtert Hospital clinicians and staff. Grateful for their skill and compassion, Robert wanted to give back. His work as a volunteer and with his “second family,” as he called them, quickly became the joy of his life.

Robert became well-known for his dedication and kindness as he supported the departments of Radiology and day surgery. He facilitated communications between patients and clinical staff, comforted anxious families, responded to call buttons and helped during mealtimes. Those seemingly routine interactions mattered a great deal to those on the receiving end of his care, and when Robert retired from volunteering in April of 2014, he had touched many thousands of lives. 

While giving so much of his time, Robert was quietly at work on yet another legacy: an estate gift to the Froedtert Hospital Foundation. Robert had worked in advertising sales with the Milwaukee Sentinel from 1945-1951 before enlisting in the U.S. Army. After two years of active service, he returned to Milwaukee where he worked at a store that sold wine and spirits on the city’s northwest side until he retired. He and Irma had lived frugally, and when he passed away in 2014, his donated his savings to the Foundation to provide unrestricted support for a wide range of patient needs. 

“Robert’s quiet dedication is having a huge impact on our ability to treat patients with the same heightened skill and compassion that Irma experienced during her stay at Froedtert Hospital,” said Lorelee Hood, executive director of the Froedtert Hospital Foundation. 

“Strategically invested planned gifts like Robert’s, permit benefactors to have a more significant impact than they would ever be able to do during their lifetime,” Lorelee added. “His generosity is accelerating lifesaving research, innovative treatments, and helping patients get healthier faster and return home sooner.” 

“We are so grateful for Robert’s devotion to patients and their families,” said Lorelee. “Our hope is that his story will inspire others to contribute their time and talents and consider establishing their own legacy.” 

Robert Mason’s legacy as a volunteer shines a spotlight on the critical work these individuals contribute to Froedtert Hospital. The personal dimension they bring helps create an atmosphere of friendliness and goodwill that improves patients’ experiences. Volunteers contribute in so many small ways individually, but the cumulative effect of their efforts creates an incredibly powerful and positive impact.