Clyde Hugh Mast, 96 of Gainesville, FL. passed away suddenly on Wed., Feb 24, 2016.
Clyde was a U.S. Army Veteran, a member of the First Lutheran Church of Gainesville and a retired teacher. Clyde is survived by his loving family.
The family will be having a celebration of life service for Clyde on Sat. April 2nd, at 11:00 A.M. at Forest Meadows Funeral Home, 725 NW 23rd Ave., Gainesville, Fl. Donations may be made to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation, P.O. Box 515, Northampton, MA 01061-0515.
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I met Clyde as an extraordinary 80-something golfer when my wife and I moved to Gainesville in 2000. I was soon fortunate to be in the same foursome with him in a morning round of golf with the Haile Seniors. I say fortunate because I found Clyde to be a congenial companion who was tolerant of my deficient golfing skills.
That day Clyde beat his age by nine strokes. It was beautiful to watch, and watch I did, because the one area that my capabilities were better than his was seeing and telling him where his ball went – generally straight, true and long.
I also remember that day the one subject which he spoke of then and in frequent rounds over the years. He told me of learning of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor while he was still in Virginia. He said he and friends went to Embassy Row in Washington to witness what was going on at our new enemy’s embassy.
He spoke too of his duty in the European theater supplying fast advancing American forces with food and other supplies. Many times I listened to his description of a communication he had received from General Patton complaining that his men were not getting sufficient food to keep up their pace.
I told Clyde he should write about his experiences in that historic period so in future years his extended family and descendents could understand the part he played.
I hope he did that.
John N. Donis
I admire you El for your care of Clyde. I admired Clyde for his persistence in playing bridge and always keeping a positive attitude!! God Bless.
Mr. Mast was such a good general science teacher. I was thinking about him for some reason and googled his name. It would be nice if there were more teachers like Mr. Mast, he worked with students having difficulty in his science class until they learned, not like some teachers today that you learn or you don’t. I am sure he is resting peacefully.