Remembering Robb Mason, 1958-2022

One week after the still-unsolved hit-run crash that killed Robert “Robb” Mason as he rode his bicycle home from his workplace in West Seattle, his family and friends are sharing this remembrance:

Robert J. Mason, “Robb,” 63, residing in Seattle, passed away on July 15th, 2022 after having been the victim of a hit-and-run driver while commuting home on his bicycle.

Born in Van Nuys, CA, Robb graduated from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma with a BFA in Communications & Broadcast Journalism. Later in his career, Robb discovered his true calling and retrained as a massage therapist at the Brian Utting School of Massage in Seattle. He opened his own practice, RMBodyWorks, in 2003 as a licensed massage therapist. He also completed additional training at the National Academy of Sports Medicine, with an emphasis on core fitness and balance/stabilization techniques.

In addition to his private practice, Robb also worked at Highline Physical Therapy in West Seattle. As a massage therapist, Robb saw his role as that of a facilitator for positive change and healing, using his massage techniques and listening skills to make a positive difference in his clients’ lives. He was seen by colleagues and clients alike as an astute and caring clinician.

A sports and physical fitness enthusiast throughout his life, Robb enjoyed track, baseball, skiing, cycling and golf. In later years, he became an avid hiker, enjoying multiple trips to the Alps in Switzerland to hike with members of his extended family. He marveled at the beauties of nature on these trips, and they served to deepen his reverence and respect for the environment.

Robb and his wife sponsored a child, Alexander, in Ecuador.

He is survived by his wife of 18 years, Claudia Mason (née Perotto), and by his sister, Faith Mason. He is predeceased by his parents, William and Imogene Mason, and his brother, Charles.

A private memorial service for Robb Mason will be held on Monday, July 25th, 2022 for relatives and close friends.

Due to the tragic circumstances of his passing, a memorial vigil ride in honor of Robb Mason will be organized by Seattle Critical Mass on July 29th, from downtown Seattle to the site of the collision on SW Spokane Street, just east of the West Seattle low bridge.

The Seattle Police Department continues to investigate this collision and have asked anyone with information about it to call the Violent Crimes Tip Line at (206) 233-5000.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)

24 Replies to "Remembering Robb Mason, 1958-2022"

  • Carole July 22, 2022 (9:57 am)

    This is so very sad, I’m in tears.  I have so much sympathy for this family now.  I wish this never happened.  It’s just so wrong.  I feel for all the bikers and pedestrians who are with us and those who have left us in this horrible way.    Thanks for sharing this notice.  

  • Richard Petters July 22, 2022 (2:38 pm)

    Robb Mason, one of the kindest, most perceptive and generous souls I have ever had the privilege and pleasure of knowing. Robb, his wife Claudia, and I cycled many miles together, shared meals, laughed, and pontificated on things of importance and, just as often, on total nonsense. It was always fun.

    Robb, your presence graced our lives. Your absence leaves a void. I am still in a state of shock. You will be missed but never forgotten. Thank you for your time while you were here.

  • Stu Hennessey July 22, 2022 (3:05 pm)

    Carole, Thank you for your concern. I am amazed there is just these 2 comments as we know the blog will light up if we dare talk about traffic safety design and controlling the speed limits.

    • YES2WS July 22, 2022 (6:39 pm)

      Stu, this death has struck me in a deep fashion and I didn’t even know him. Please don’t think that because people are commenting they don’t feel the loss and sorrow. You have no idea

      • YES2WS July 22, 2022 (8:35 pm)

        “aren’t” commenting, of course

  • Allison July 22, 2022 (3:11 pm)

    Thank you for sharing.  My heart goes out to his wife and family.  What a tragedy to have something so awful happy to a man who touched many lives.

  • KM July 22, 2022 (3:27 pm)

    Thinking of his family—this is so heartbreaking.

  • Tracey July 22, 2022 (3:54 pm)

    No words can express how senseless this tragedy is.  I am so sorry for the family’s loss.   Please take care.

  • Fred July 22, 2022 (4:09 pm)

    Robb’s death is utterly tragic and unnecessary. To his wife, sister and other family and friends, I am sending blessings and prayers. How anyone can kill a man and drive away is beyond my comprehension. I hope that person is found, exposed to everyone in Seattle, and put in jail for a long time. 

  • Mj July 22, 2022 (5:29 pm)

    RIP Robb and I really hope the perp is caught and held accountable.

  • Alki resident July 22, 2022 (5:41 pm)

    Robb you will be so missed. Anyone that ever had a chance to know you ,was a very lucky person . Thank you for fixing me 12 yrs ago after a car accident. You had mad skills. We WILL find justice for you. Kari

  • Rez July 22, 2022 (9:57 pm)

    Rest In Peace Robb. I didn’t have the chance to meet you, but I wish I had.  Your loss is felt beyond those you have known. Bless your dear family and friends.

  • pm July 22, 2022 (10:16 pm)

    The loss of Robb will be felt by so many.  I was thinking of him today in particular because I had a standing appointment with him on Friday mornings. In addition to his incredible clinical skill and dedication (he helped salvage my back last summer after I wrenched it so badly I was unable to get out of bed without howling pain), his positive energy was so often a calming influence when I was stressed out by another long week at work.  And his interests and passions were many. In a half hour session with him our conversations could run the gamut from world events to healthcare, local news, home remodeling, caring for elderly parents, best exercises for current ailments, and so much more.  We ranted, we laughed, we philosophized. He routinely admonished you to make time to take care of yourself and to not let yourself get trapped on the hamster wheel of life. He was dedicated to supporting his wife in finding the best specialists in time to attend an overseas wedding. Though I never met her, when I heard the news my thoughts went immediately to her and all the plans they had. I so hope anyone who can provide any information about the perpetrator of this senseless tragedy will come forward and that the SPD can track them down and prosecute them to the fullest extent.

    • Orb July 22, 2022 (11:45 pm)

      Well said. I too was a client of Robb’s and I instantly thought of his wife. He was a great guy and I hope the cops work extra hard to solve this case and bring justice for Robb and his family/friends. 

  • H July 22, 2022 (10:51 pm)

    I am one of those fortunate enough to have been one of Robb’s regular patients for the last several years. He was an incredibly skillful massage therapist, but more importantly, he was someone who cared deeply about others’ well-being and had the personality of someone you enjoyed being stuck in a room with for an hour. He and I always spent the entire time chatting or joking about anything and everything in life, sharing stories of family, travel, outdoor adventures, politics, work, bikes, broken appliances, how not to lift a kayak out of the water when you’re 63, how difficult it is for a highly skilled massage therapist to find another highly skilled massage therapist to work on him after lifting said kayak, anything. Robb was my “therapist” in more than one sense of the word. He never missed an opportunity to remind me of ways to improve both my physical and mental well-being. On one occasion, he noticed me sitting in a chair hunched over my phone while he was on his way to see a patient, came over to remind me of my posture, and said that was part of why I had to keep seeing him. My response was that it’d hurt his business if I didn’t have neck issues, to which he replied, “I want you to get better.” My heart breaks when my thoughts turn to Claudia and the incredible loss that she must be feeling now. I am absolutely devastated.

  • andy July 23, 2022 (4:24 am)

    My wife had just recently become one of Robb’s patients and spoke very highly of him. She said he was the best message therapist she’d ever gone to. We are very sorry to hear of his passing.  

  • Cat Mom July 23, 2022 (6:59 am)

    My heartfelt condolences to you and your family.

  • Nancy Fry July 23, 2022 (1:02 pm)

    Robb, I am very grateful to have known you, and I will miss your beautiful presence here on earth. Thank you for being you ♥️

  • Roxhill neighbor July 24, 2022 (11:02 am)

    I’ve just learned that Robb was the victim in this horrible hit and run.  He was my massage therapist and I’m devastated to hear it was him.  I’m devastated for his wife who he talked about all the time.  He was an amazing human being and he will be so missed.  I am just shocked.  To his wife, I am so so sorry for your loss and you and your family will always be in my thoughts.  He touched so many people and was a wonderful person, so caring and gentle.  To the person who did this, you WILL be found and justice will be served.  RIP Robb, you’ll be sorely missed!

  • Scubafrog July 24, 2022 (1:46 pm)

    My deepest condolences to Robb’s wife, family and friends (who seem to abound).  It’s touching to see that Critical Mass is riding in his honor.   What an amazing life of healing, and helping others.  I hope justice will be had, and more than that, healing for Robb’s wife and those closest to him.

  • Karen Hayward July 25, 2022 (1:16 pm)

    This is my uncle. My mother is his sister, Faith. We were only notified today and none of us are near Seattle. We are devastated.

  • AnaMia August 2, 2022 (7:54 am)

    My heart is breaking. Robb was such a kind, funny, and inspiring man. My partner and I had been going to see Robb off an on for a few years now. I always looked forward to the conversations and felt that he modeled the kind of life I hope to lead. He helped inspire me to take the leap from working in corporate to going back to school for mental health. My heart goes out to Claudia and Robb’s friends and family. We will hold you in our hearts, Robb. Rest in peace.

  • Lauren Christman August 2, 2022 (8:58 am)

    I had the blessing of knowing Robb through bodywork — I was one of his teachers. What a lovely man, thoughtful, kind, fun and bright. He was a gem and I’m so saddened that he died so suddenly and in such a way. My condolences to those in his family, his close friends and the circle of people whose lives he touched. Rest in peace. You are missed.

  • Zoe Sandall August 2, 2022 (10:07 am)

    Im so sorry to hear of this terrible news. Sending loving kindness to all who grieve for him, may the Universe hold him gently in forever safe-keeping.

Sorry, comment time is over.