Robert Eugene (Bob) Mathis, 77, departed his earthly home Saturday, August 5, 2023. Being the medically inclined person he was, he is a body donor for the Medical College of Georgia.
Bob and Elaine Wilson met and married October 2, 1976, soon to be 47 wonderful years working together and traveling often. Bob was in the Air Force and after 4 years became a Medical Technologist at Memorial Medical Center being the department head of clinical Chemistry where he supervised a tri-sectional clinical chemistry department. Having the experience he had, he was hired by Miles Laboratories, Ames Division where he was a Key Account Executive beginning in Elkhart, Indiana. After three years in Elkhart, Bob and Elaine were transferred to San Antonio, Texas where they lived for eighteen years. He was an Ames Division Government Specialist. Even though he was working full time with the Ames Division, he became a noted photographer. He was also a member of the Alzafar Shrine Temple and active in the Oriental Band (being their number one instrumentalist) and golf unit.
Returning to Georgia in 1996, Bob was an active member of the Douglas Masonic Lodge, being the Worshipful Master several times, and a very active Shriner at Hasan Shrine Center in Albany, Ga.
2006 was a very special year for Bob and Elaine when he was elected the 2006 Potentate of Hasan. Bob leaves many Shrine friends not only at the Shrine Center but in the Red Cross of Constantine, Hillbillies, Cabiri, Royal Order of the Jesters (where he was Past Director and Impresario), and the Scottish Rite Center. He was also an Emeritus Colorado Representative for Imperial Shrine Group, an Imperial Shrine Photographer and a member of the Q. Being an active member of his Sunday School class at First Baptist Church was a priority on Sundays.
Bob leaves his devoted wife Elaine, his great niece “queen” Willa Grace, son Sean Mathis (Theresa) in Utah, daughter Dacia Cottle (Sean) in Texas, seven grandchildren, several great grandchildren, sister Judy Yawn (Charles) in Duluth, Ga, brother Steve Smith (Debbie) in Eatonton, Ga, and a brother Charles Smith in Wrightsville, Ga. He also has special nieces, nephews, aunts, cousins, friends and two sister-in-laws, Libby Wilson Smith and Lou Wilson Lott.
Sims Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.