The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) mourns the loss of Chairman of the Board of Governors (BOG), Robert Mastronardi, DC, 60, who passed away following a battle with cancer.
Remembered as a true friend and a tireless advocate for the chiropractic profession, Dr. Mastronardi, a 1977 graduate of National College of Chiropractic, also served ACA as Finance Committee chairman and was an active member of the Health Care Reform Task Force, the Strategic Planning Committee and the Practice Management Committee. In his home state, he was a past president of the Chiropractic Society of Rhode Island and was named Chiropractor of the Year by the society in 1992.
Many within the profession recall the good memories and hard work they shared with Dr. Mastronardi:
"Bobby has been a dedicated leader within ACA and in Rhode Island for more years than I can count. More than that, he was a dear friend who brought so much joy to our shared mission," said ACA President Keith Overland, DC. "Despite my grief, I am grateful for the memories I have of Bobby, and I must say that between my tears today as I remember him, I am smiling just as much. He wanted so badly to be the finest chairman ACA has ever seen. I am certain he would have been just that."
"Dr. Mastronardi and I have been friends since our days at National College back in the 1970s, and I had the privilege of working with him in the ACA House of Delegates (HOD) for 15 years and the BOG for the past five years," said ACA Vice President Anthony Hamm, DC. "Two images come to mind when I remember my friend: his love of family and his love for our profession. There was never a time when we were together that he didn't apprise me of his children and their welfare. I will miss my friend and the sunlight he brought to each room he entered."
"I first met Bobby in 1991 when I joined the HOD. He welcomed me with open arms and helped guide me through the workings of the House. We had so many fun times together that included great meals, practical jokes, pranks, quiet conversation and laughs until our sides hurt," said former ACA Board Chairman and current Chiropractic Summit Chairman, Lewis Bazakos, DC. "He was endlessly devoted to his profession and his family, and he will be remembered for his leadership, his infectious laugh, his sense of humor and the pride he felt for his children."
"In all my years of leadership and travel on behalf of ACA, I rarely met anyone more proud of being a chiropractic physician than Dr. Bobby Mastronardi. He essentially was chiropractic in Rhode Island, since he knew most of the legislative leaders there on a first-name basis," said ACA Past President Glenn Manceaux, DC. "He was a beloved father and he enjoyed sports, having been an accomplished athlete in high school and college, so it's no surprise he reached the upper echelon of ACA leadership. His sense of humor, his love for ACA and his devotion to service were second to none. He will be missed by all who knew him--and by those who didn't, because he served them too! May he rest in peace."
A memorial service for Dr. Mastronardi was held April 28.
In honor of Dr. Mastronardi and other volunteer leaders ACA has lost in recent months, the association has created a memorial scholarship fund to nurture future leaders of the chiropractic profession. Donations can be made by check to:
Chiropractic Future Leaders Memorial Scholarship Fund
c/o American Chiropractic Foundation
1701 Clarendon Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22209
Source: American Chiropractic Association
