Roll Call Tribute

William John Mass 

September 14, 1937 - February 13, 2024 

Dr. William John Mass, 86, of North Liberty, Iowa passed away Tuesday, February 13, 2024 in North Liberty. Visitation will be Saturday, February 17, 2024 from 1 to 2 pm at the Runge Mortuary. A prayer service will follow at 2pm. Funeral services will be at St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church in DeKalb, IL on Monday, February 19, 2024 at 3 pm with visitation from 2 pm to 3 pm at the church. The Finch Funeral Home will be handling those arrangements. His final resting place will be in Fairview Park Cemetery in Dekalb, IL. Memorials may go to your favorite charity. Online condolences may be left at www.rungemortuary.com. 

William was born September 14, 1937 in Davenport, Iowa to William Henry and Martha (Busch) Mass. He attended Hayes Elementary, Smart Junior High, and graduated from Davenport High School in 1958.

He attended classes at Iowa State University and the University of Iowa, prior to completing his BS at St. Ambrose. He completed a Master’s Degree in Physics at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL in 1973. While there, he met Regina Dionisopoulos and they married December 30, 1973.

They moved to College Station, Texas where Bill obtained a PhD. in Geophysical Oceanography, from Texas A&M University. His dissertation topic was about tsunamis and he was offered a one-year position as a visiting scientist at the University of Hawaii. Happily, they moved to Hawaii intending it to be a one-year adventure in paradise. Towards the end of that year, he applied for a position at the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Ewa Beach. This job was interesting and challenging. He analyzed earthquake information form the entire Pacific and determined if they were likely to cause a tsunami, issuing a watch or warning as needed. Bill did significant research in computer modeling of tsunamis.

Their son Will was born and raised in Hawaii. When Will joined Cub Scouts and later, Boy Scouts, Bill became an active scout leader. They enjoyed hiking, camping and any project about nature.

Bill had many interests including the life and history of Black Hawk. He wrote a book about the Lewis & Clark expedition and held a lifelong interest in the Lewis & Clark expedition, and he was a member of the Lewis & Clark Society.

An avid sailor, he sailed many parts of the world, including extensively in the Hawaiian Islands on board his Westsail, the Tyrkyr. Bill was a life member of the Waikiki Yacht Club.

In May 2017, 40 years into their “one-year adventure,” Bill and Regina moved to North Liberty, IA. Bill is survived by his wife of 50 years, Regina, and son, Will (Mary) Mass, Portland, OR along with many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Mary Lou Goodner, and niece, Susanne Goodner.

The family wishes to thank the exceptional doctors, nurses, and staff at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, for their excellent care and advice, especially Dr. Mazan Aiche. They also thank the staff of North Liberty Dialysis and Essence of Life Hospice.