Captain Ralph Alton Mason Jr., the former associate chair of the UNC Graduate School of Computer Science who managed the design and construction of Sitterson Hall, passed away peacefully on March 23 at his home near Chapel Hill.

Mason was commissioned as an officer in the US Navy following his graduation from State University of New York at New Paltz.

Mason was awarded two Air Medals for flights in support of combat operations in Vietnam, and his final assignment with the Navy was serving at the Pentagon.

Mason built a home in Chapel Hill following his retirement from the Navy and was appointed the associate chair of the Graduate School of Computer Science at Carolina. In that role, Mason oversaw the design and construction of Sitterson Hall, which houses the Department of Computer Science.

A memorial service will be held at Chapel Hill Bible Church on Erwin Road at three o’clock Saturday afternoon with a reception to follow. The service is open to friends and family.

In lieu of flowers, condolences may be offered in the form of contributions to Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Attn: Receipting Department, 8701 Leeds Road, Kansas City, MO, 64129.

Mason was 83.

See the full obituary here.

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