Dr. James Tate Mason Jr., Retired Chief Of Urology

Dr. James Tate Mason Jr. inherited not only the name of a founder of Virginia Mason Medical Center, but also the mantle of leadership in its urology department.

Yet for his many credits, such as establishing the Northwest Urological Society and serving as president of the American Urological Association, he retained an enduring wit, warmth and balance.

He could work all week and take in a PTA meeting, then go bird-hunting in Eastern Washington or boating in the San Juans without skipping a beat.

"The things he's done are less important to me than who he was as a person," said his daughter Mary Mason of Seattle. "He was devoted to his profession, but friends and family came first. He enjoyed all kinds of people.

"He was a gentleman, but also a gentle man who appreciated the little things people did."

Dr. Mason died of heart failure Friday (March 21). He was 83.

Born in Seattle, Dr. Mason took pre-med training at the University of Washington (1932-36). Like his father, he earned his medical degree at the University of Virginia (1940). He interned at New York's Bellevue Hospital, served in the Navy in World War II, and trained in Boston and Ann Arbor, Mich., before joining the Virginia Mason staff in 1949.

Dr. Mason served as chief of urology 21 years, retiring in 1978. He continued in urology at Harborview Medical Center until 1985.

Parallel to this career was his commitment to fathering. He was elected the first male president of McGilvra Elementary School PTA in the 1950s.

"He was very involved with his kids and wanted to find out what was going on," said his daughter Laura Beth Foster of Boston. "My brothers used to go hunting with him in Eastern Washington."

A highlight of family time was when he required each child, once a month, to stand up behind their chair at dinner and speak on any topic.

"He felt public speaking was important," Foster said. "He felt we all should be able to speak out. But he was a lot of fun, too. You never wanted him to go anywhere unless you could go, because you knew something fun was going to happen."

Other survivors include his wife of 55 years, Elisabeth Mason; his sons James Tate Mason III and Paul Mason, both of Seattle; his daughter Anne Curti, Kenilworth, Ill.; and 10 grandchildren.

Services have been held. Memorials may go to the Virginia Mason Foundation, 1218 Terry Ave., Seattle, WA, 98101; or to the Ansell-Mason Library c/o University of Washington Foundation, P.O. Box 356510, Seattle, WA, 98195.