USMA Dick Masson

Dick Masson

30 NOV 1931 - 4 SEP 2000

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Pat Strati - Mary Monahan - Greta Masson

DEC 2006

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Greta Masson and Charlie Johnson

Distinguished Grad Gathering - MAY 2006

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Connie Franklin and Greta Masson

50th - MAY 2005

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Greta Masson and Jack Doyle

50th - MAY 2005

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Hugh Quinn and Greta Masson

50th - MAY 2005

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Greta Masson - Ute Ordway - Betty Young

50th - MAY 2005

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Row 1: Emanuela Spadoni-our Mama Mia and Grand Circle's Tour Guide

Row 2: Gale/Paul Antell - Donna Ludwig - Sue Taylor - Tatyana Sigal - Mary Gallion - Angie Fikaras,
Greta Masson - Mary Monahan - Lo Dienst - Marlowe Viney - Pat Strati - Margit Singer - Pat Vitty

Row 3: Georgiann Regnier - Trudy Lichtenberg - Anna Bates - Bob Chapman - Bill Taylor
Mike Stevenson - Pete Fikaris - Dan Ludwig - Barbara Johnson - Carla Hilbert - Val/Al Bundren
Bob Strati - Carol Qually - Phyllis Chapman - Val Schroeter - Dorothy Kane

Row 4: Dick Regnier - Danny Dienst - Rod Vitty - Diane/Phil Enslow - Andy Johnson
Don Hilbert - Kelly Lichtenberg - Jim Kane - Lloyd Qually

Italy Trip JUN 2004

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Closer Look

Italy Trip JUN 2004

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Closer Look II

Italy Trip JUN 2004

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Sherry Welter - Doyle - Greta Masson

2001

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Masson Funeral - SEP 2000

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Welter - Newton - Karam - McNair - Masson - Bill Anderson - Wray

1999

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Lichtenberg - Masson - Page

1999

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Al Edwards - Masson - Quinn

1992

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Burrus - Eddins - Greta Masson - Sandy Wargowsky

1989

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Dick Masson and Vicki Roades

1989

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Masson - Roades - Hilbert - Gay - Troyan

1988

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Greta Masson and Pop Warner

1988

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? - Greta Masson - Bob Carpenter

1988

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Dick Masson - Carl McNair - Carl Cathey - Bud and Dotty Goldstein

1988

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Pop Warner - Dick Masson and Tom Herren

1988

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Hugh Quinn - Dick Masson - Sherry Giddings

1987

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Greta Masson and Bud Goldstein

1987

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Frank's Sister - Hilbert - Mary O'Brien - Rumsey and Lenio
Welter - Strati - Fralen - Wix - Roades and Masson

Frank O'Brien's Funeral - 1987

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Quinn - Hilbert - Goldstein - Chickie Hilbert - Sherry Giddings - Wargowsky - Masson

1986

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Ray and Ann Gunderson - Dick Masson

1986

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Dick Wargowsky and Dick Masson

1986

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Pop Warner - Edie Edwards - Greta Masson - John and Mary Pickitt - Ed and Betsy Anderson

1986

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O'Brien - Masson - Welter
Hilbert - Roades - Fralen

1985

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Dick Masson retires

1985

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Masson and Roades in foreground

1985 Reunion

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O'Briens and Welters
Hilberts - Roades' - Fralens and Massons

1985

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O'Brien - Masson - Welter
Rumsey - Hilbert - Roades - Fralen

1955

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O'Brien - Masson - Welter
Hilbert - Roades - Fralen

1985

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F - 2

1st Row: Rumsey - Goodwin - O'Brien - Al Edwards - Masson - Worden
2nd Row: Dorough - Symonds - Hilbert - Welter - Lenio - Cummings
3rd Row: Wolfe - Sparks - Matuszak - Wix
4th Row: Bruce MacDonald - Beoddy - Staffen

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I knew Dick as an active supporter of the class and as a doer when it came to work. Soon after my retirement I met with Dick - Don Hilbert and Bob Strati in the DC area to work on Class business. The catalyst to all that occurred therafter was Dick Masson. I also knew Dick to be a caring individual. About a year ago he called and asked for help in getting a relative into a major university. He was concerned as always for all those about him. I will miss Dick. We will all miss Dick.

Greta - my sincerest condolences. I share with you the loss of Dick and wish you the best that life has to offer because you deserve no less. God Bless you.

Rich
Rich Cardillo
September 5 - 2000

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Dick Masson was my friend. I did not know him well at West Point - and our careers obviously took different paths. However - shortly after my return to the Washington DC area in 1979 I joined the Army Navy Country Club. Dick was a member and a tennis player - and we often played together on the courts. I got to know him well. and I enjoyed talking to him about many topics particularly those involving the Class of 1955. Dick was a doer - and he gave of himself in many ways. He helped and organized class functions at the Club. He had been a class officer. He helped with the new Constitution. He was always available for advice and assistance. I know of no one who supported the Class of 1955 more than Dick. I was aware for quite awhile the Dick was fighting cancer. He fought it hard - and continued playing tennis even while he was being treated. He made no excuses. He lost a step but always gave it his best. I enjoyed playing with him. He was a good partner. Just a little over a month ago - Dick and Greta had me over to their house for dinner. My wife Betty was on a cultural exchange to Japan - and they wanted to make sure I was eating well. Hugh and Ann Quinn were also there. It was a lovely evening - and Dick was in good spirits. I perhaps stayed longer than I should have - but I was enjoying myself so much. We talked about the reunion. Dick so wanted to go. He loved West Point - and his Class of 1955.

Matt Schepps
5 Sept 2000

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Dick was a proud member of F-2's "New York Click" - a group of 6 guys who stuck together during our 4-year obstacle course at USMA. Dick often referred to the "Click" long after we graduated - the last time at the August DC 2nd Wednesday Luncheon when he was making plans for the "Click" to be together at the 45th.

Obo - Paul and now Dick are no longer with us - God rest their souls. We miss them.

Willy Welter
September 5 - 2000

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Dick was not only my friend at West Point but when we donned our Silver Tans after graduation and went into the Air Force - we served together on many assignments and became close friends. We flew together in Viet Nam - sipped some very good scotch together - played some hard tennis games with each other - and most of all gained mutual respect for our principles and beliefs. Dick was always there with a sharp wit and ready smile and i am a better man for knowing him as one of my best friends. I only wish we had a few more years, to push the throttle forward and raise that glass of Johnny Walker to our lips.

I will miss you!

Rum
Ed Rumsey
September 7 - 2000

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Dick

We all were sorry you weren't with us in body for our reunion but you were everywhere there in spirit....there amongst your classmates who loved you. At all the services - the p-rade - ball game(you weren't much help there) - the boat ride - at Kellys and most of all at the Mass Fr. Oscar said on Sunday when you took your place with all our other fallen classmates. I envy you for that...but just say hi to them from the class. We'll miss you at the monthly lunch and in our daily lives. You were a good friend to me and all that knew you.

Rest in peace old friend......You will always be in my prayers.

Tommy:)
Thomas C. West
September 12 - 2000

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I really got to know Dick Masson after we graduated and went into the Air Force. ,When Marcia and I were assigned to Saudi Arabia in 1977 - Dick came that same day with the Director of DSAA - Lt Gen Howie Fish - to introduce us to our new assignment. We talked many times about that wonderful way to be introduced to a country. Then Dick and Greta visited with us in Europe when we were at Ramstein. What fun we had in Germany. The beer and wine weren't too bad either. Dick and Greta were always around it seems when ever we returned to the DC area. Dick was always among those in the class setting up things and meeting with his classmates for many occasions. When Al Edwards was alive - it seemed that we all gather together even more. We all miss Al too. The class has enjoyed Dick setting up the Christmas brunch at Army/Navy Club. So what can I say about a true friend and classmate. Dick we love you and know that in our hearts you have gone to your reward. We'll be here with Greta until that day when we are have the final reunion.

Bless you both.
Carl & Marcia Cathey

September 12 - 2000

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Although the pleasure of knowing Dick was realitively short - I will recall the conversation and laughter that we shared on the Alaska cruise. That was my first big adventure without Jack. Dick and Greta made me feel so welcome and a part of the unique group that is the Class of '55. That experience bubbled over to the mini reunion at Vail. The picture I have of Dick which was taken on the trip down from the Eagle's Nest - will bring to mind Dick's zest for life. His smile says it all. Dick may have joined "The Long Gray Line" - but he will not be forgotten.

Rest softly - until the Biggest Reunion of all.

Marlowe Viney
October 15 - 2000

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I lived next door to those toads in F-2 - and near as I could tell - none of them ever went by their real names. Their halls echoed with the likes of Rum - Hilbo - Willy - Obo - Doc - and Greaseball. Yes - Greaseball is what they called my pal - Dick Masson - but luckily it fell away. Dick was a great and beloved friend who - with his lovely Greta - lightened and brightened my early years in the Air Force. We did both primary and basic flight training together - and time has obscured the number of meals they fed me and the other bachelors. It was a glorious year - and a sad parting when we went our separate ways.

Five years later - still a bachelor - I went to a school in Waco where I spent several weeks in their company - reliving old times and making new ones. Greta and Dick even dragged me into a blind date with the only woman I ever married.

In the late '60s Dick came through George AFB with his C-130 - and we worked a trade. I was flying F-106s - and cornered a 2-seater so I could get him out to Mach 2. He put me in the left seat of his 130 for a max performance take-off and a few other moves that taught me some respect for the Herky Bird. It was a grand day - the last time I ever saw Dick - and a perfect way to remember him.

The quote under his picture in our Pilot Training Yearbook is "I signed for 30". Ever true to his promise - he did it -- with style and grace.

Happy landings - Dick.

Chuck
Chuck Ewing
July 29 - 2001

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USMA 1955 Roster

USMA 1955 Pictures