Jacob Mast Jr., 75, of Chesterfield, died peacefully 12 May 15, after a five-year, courageous struggle with Agent Orange exposure sarcoma. Jake served as a MAJ in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps, where he was involved in the operation of military hospitals and medical evacuation detachments. He piloted medevac helicopter rescue missions in the Republic of Korea and Vietnam, earning the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, Combat Medic Badge, Bronze Star, Distinguished Flying Cross and the Korean Prime Minister’s Citation for civilian disaster rescues.
A graduate of Randolph-Macon College and master’s degree recipient from the VCU School of Rehabilitation Counseling, Jake pursued a career dedicated to public service, concentrating in long-term geriatric care administration. Jake retired as CEO of the nonprofit Lucy Corr Village of the Health Center Commission for Chesterfield County. In his almost three-decade career there he demonstrated foresight in his understanding of the health care industry by inspiring development and construction of an expanded nursing home, the first special care unit for dementia residents in the Commonwealth of Virginia, a licensed assisted living adult day care center, a state of the art health care center, and a full service continuing care retirement community, “Springdale.” Jake served on numerous boards of directors of health care commissions and foundations. Jake was also Past Commodore of the Greater Richmond Sailing Association and a 43-year active member of Rotary International, South Richmond Rotary Club.
Jake always enjoyed golf, tennis and jogging, but his favorite pastime was sailing with Kay, either when racing their Flying Scot daysailer or relaxing upon their Freedom yacht cruising the Chesapeake and the East Coast from Nantucket and Newport to Florida and the Bahamas. Jake always said he “had saltwater in his veins.”