Robert L. Mason was born in Corvallis, Oregon and raised in Palo Alto, California. He holds a BS degree in industrial engineering from Oregon State University and was a registered professional engineer in the State of California for many years. Rob brings to his writing the multiple perspectives gained from a very diverse working and personal history including roles as naval officer, industry executive, government administrator, small business owner, engineer, artist, teacher, husband, parent, and grandparent. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Marine Ecological Institute of Redwood City, The Pacific Art League of Palo Alto and The Mendocino Art Center. Always an enthusiastic follower of scientific developments, Rob delights in gazing at the “big picture” and thinking about the macroscopic circumstances that shape the context of our lives.