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CRIMSON SHIELD THE ONLINE MAGAZINE OF BROTHER MARTIN HIGH SCHOOL |
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| April 2013 Published Monthly September through May |
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Circuitous Route Back Home - II
 Bob Masson in 1990-1, his first year at Brother Martin |
The most famous case Bob Masson worked in his 11 1/2 years with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Department involved Kerry Myers.
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Obviously, detective work exacts a toll on you.
My wife told me that she knew it was time for me to quit. When the phone rang, I would get knots in my stomach. Once there was a police shooting two days before I was scheduled to go on vacation. So I lost my vacation.
Through it all, Bob never lost sight of his goal to become a teacher.
- After resigning from the Sheriff's Department, he taught five years at Ridgewood, where he also assisted with football and ran the track program.
- He attended Alabama in the summers to obtain another bachelor's degree. He took additional courses at Our Lady of Holy Cross College to complete the requirements for certification.
- In the meantime, his two sons graduated from Brother Martin, Kent in '88 and Scott in '89.
Bob started teaching at Brother Martin in 1990.
- He taught Biology Physical Science, and Earth Science for several years before concentrating on Biology, including Biology II.
- He thanks Brother Matthias, the instructional supervisor at the time, for his support as well as his fellow biology teacher David Rhodes.
- After Katrina, responding to the request of the administration for more electives, he created the half-year Forensic Science course that has proved to be very popular.
- He and his wife, who is also a teacher, attended Southern Mississippi in the summers. Bob earned a master's degree in Biology which included a thesis on solitary wasps.
- Bob served as Golf Moderator from 1991-6. The highlights of those years were a state championship by Steve Vogel and a state-runner-up finish by Lane Savoie in 1993 and three first place finishes in the regional tournament by Chris Bell (1994-6).
- In recent years, Bob has been a fixture after school as monitor on the first floor and outside.
Bob at work in his biology lab
The school has chosen Bob for two of its highest awards, which shocked him in each case.
- In 2005, principal Gene Tullier asked to see him in his office. What did I do? Bob wondered. When he walked in and saw president John Devlin as well, he feared he was getting fired. But they had good news - you've been chosen as the 2005 recipient of the Brother More Schaefer Award.
I really felt embarrassed because so many other people deserved it more. Now I have to get up there in front of people and make a fool of myself.
- The second surprise came at the end of the Social Justice Liturgy in the gym February 1 when he was called out as one of the winners of the Brother Collin Dugas Award, which is given to students, faculty, and staff who show an exemplary commitment to social justice and treating all people with dignity and respect.
One of my students from two years ago nominated me, and the students voted on it. That makes it mean something. I don't know if I deserve it, but it's nice that kids thought I did.
R: 2013 Brother Collin Award winner Bob Masson with Dean Songy and Judy Stewart
Bob reiterates the theme he sounded in his Brother More speech.
I owe a lot of people. My wife most of all. I don't know how she put up with me. When I had to attend LSUNO full time to play ball, she let me quit my job with a baby on the way. I worked 11-7 at a gas station. When I got home, she'd have breakfast for me. I'd go to class and sleep in the gym between classes, then go to practice and sleep until 10. I'd study all night at the gas station. She's special. I don't know how she put up with me with the sheriff's office when I didn't come home for days. We didn't have cell phones; so I couldn't even call.
Bob, you're special too. Thanks for your many years of dedicated service to Brother Martin.