| February 2001 |
On November 16, 2000, at the House of The Temple, Washington, D.C., Sovereign Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33°, was presented a certificate and pin for his 50 years of dedicated service to Scottish Rite Masonry in the Southern Jurisdiction. In attendance were: Ill. Dr. Bernard E. Rothman, 33°, Sovereign Grand Inspector General in Maryland and his wife Elaine. They were accompanied by Ill. E. Ray Leppo, Jr., 33°, and wife Margaret. Ill. Dr. Hans Wilhelmsen, 33°, Assistant to the S.G.I.G., and wife Leah, Ill. RADM, William G. Sizemore, 33°, Grand Cross, Grand Executive Director, and Ill. Earl E. Ihle, Jr., 33°, Director of Major Gifts.
| On November 16, 2000, in his office at the House of the Temple, Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33°, received his 50-year Scottish Rite pin and certificate from (l. to r.) Ill. E. Ray Leppo, Jr., 33°, Personal Representative of the S.G.I.G. in Maryland and Secretary Pro-tem, Valley of Baltimore; Dr. Hans Wilhelmsen, M.D., 33°; Grand Commander Kleinknecht; and Ill. Bernard E. Rothman, 33°, S.G.I.G. in Maryland. |  |
It was noted by Ill. Rothman that not only had he the honor of presenting Brother Kleinknecht his 50-year service award in Scottish Rite Masonry but also his 50-year award as a Blue Lodge Mason. Ill. Rothman also recounted that he had the pleasure or presenting Brother Kleinknecht's father a 50-year award in Blue Lodge Masonry as well.
Submitted by Bro. Ronald G. Belanger, 32°, Editor, The Rite News of Maryland
On December 13, 2000, nine Master's Degree architecture students from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and their professors brought models of a proposed addition to the House of the Temple. Grand Commander Kleinknecht, 33°, opened the day-long meeting by thanking Ill. Matthew N. Mezzanotte, 33°, for proposing the idea of having students from the School of Architecture, Catholic University of America, construct architectural drawings and models of a proposed addition to our national headquarters building. The designs ranged from contemporary to traditional, but each was expertly drawn and modeled to fit into a larger model of the House of the Temple, its grounds, and neighboring structures.
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Janelle Longshore is one of nine architecture students from Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., who created models for a proposed addition to the House of the Temple. Photo by Bro. George J. Stoklas, 32°, K.C.C.H. Elect |
A distinguished panel of architectural experts critiqued each presentation given in the Temple Room. They were: Gregory K. Hunt, FAIA, Dean, School of Architecture and Planning, Catholic University of America; Prof. Stanley Hallet, Former Dean of the School of Architecture and Planning, Catholic University of America; Miriam Gusevich, Associate Professor, Catholic University of America; Roy Eugene Graham, FAIA, Director, Architectural Conservation Studies, School of Architecture and Planning, Catholic University of America; Donald Beekman Myer, FAIA, Clerk of the Works, Washington National Cathedral; G. Martin Moeller, Jr., Executive Vice President, National Building Museum, Washington, D.C.; and Mark McInturff, FAIA, McInturff Architects, Bethesda, Maryland. Several distinguished Brethren familiar with the project also attended the meeting and participated in a question-and-answer period after each student's presentation. They were: Grand Commander Kleinknecht, Ill. W. Gene Sizemore, 33°, G.C., Grand Executive Director; Dr. John W. Boettjer, 33°, G.C., Managing Editor of the Scottish Rite Journal; Ill. Earl E. Ihle, Jr., 33°, Director of Major Gifts; Bro. Todd E. Carton, 32°, K.C.C.H., Chief Financial Officer; Dr. S. Brent Morris, 33°, G.C., Director of Membership Development; and Bro. Sheldon Arpad, 32°, K.C.C.H.
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A distinguished jury of professors of architecture and Brethren reviewed the nine models prepared by architecture students from Catholic University of America for a proposed addition to the House of the Temple. Photo by Bro. George J. Stoklas, 32°, K.C.C.H. Elect |
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The Catholic University of America students presenting their Master's Degree projects were: Edward Byrdy, John Devilbiss, Dennis Faga, Deborah Lerner, Janelle Longshore, Emily Macht, Timothy Reymen, William Smith, and Rebecca Toepfer.
At 1:00 pm, Grand Commander Kleinknecht hosted a luncheon for all participants in the International Room of the House of the Temple, and, after the last afternoon presentation, Dean Hunt of Catholic University of America thanked the Grand Commander for the gracious hospitality extended to him, his academic staff, and the students. He praised the exemplary architecture of the House of the Temple and commended the students on their fine work, each a unique and carefully studied plan for a proposed addition to the House of the Temple. Replying, Grand Commander Kleinknecht expressed his own great appreciation for the efforts of all participants, especially Professor Roy Eugene Graham whose students took on this semester-long project and, of course, the students who represent, he said, a bright hope for the future of our nation.
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On October 27, 2000, Ill. Kenneth S. Kleinknecht, 33°, a brother of Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33°, received his Fifty-Year Blue Lodge Pin and Certificate from M.W. Rodney W. Johnson, 32°, K.C.C.H., Grand Master, Grand Lodge of Colorado. The ceremony took place during a Stated Meeting of Highland Lodge No. 86, Denver, Colorado, where Ill. Kleinknecht is a dual member. His Home Lodge is Fairview No. 699, Fairview Village, Ohio. Bro. Ken, who is a member of the Pasadena Scottish Rite Bodies, also holds dual membership in the Denver Scottish Rite Bodies. He will receive his Fifty-Year Scottish Rite Cap at the Denver Consistory on January 15, 2001. Congratulations to the Kleinknecht family on so outstanding a Masonic heritage! |
The November Ladies Night Dinner of the Valley of Long Beach honored veterans. The honored guest was Mrs. Pamela Murphy, widow of Ill. Audie L. Murphy, 33°, who was a member of the Valley of Long Beach, California. Mrs. Murphy was accompanied by Ill. A. Bruce Ivie, 33°, who is in charge of Hospital Visitations for Southern California for the Masonic Service Association. Mrs. Murphy was presented with a 33° cap in honor of the posthumous election of her husband to that Degree at the last Biennial Session of the Supreme Council. Mrs. Murphy is a counselor working daily with patients at the VA Hospital in the San Fernando. Recently, she was a guest at the Chartering of the Audie Murphy Chapter of National Sojourners in Dallas, Texas.
| Receiving a 33° cap in recognition of her late husband's posthumous election in 1997 to that high honor, Mrs. Pamela Murphy, widow of Ill. Audie Murphy, 33°, is pictured with (l. to r.) Ill. A. Bruce Ivie, 33°; Ill. Timothy R. Horan, Jr., 33°, 2nd VP of National Sojourners, Inc.; and Ill. David B. Slayton, 33°, Personal Representative of Ill. H. Douglas Lemons, 33°, S.G.I.G. in California and Past Lt. Grand Commander. |  |
Also honored at the dinner were six members of the Valley who were Prisoners of War during World War II. Two were captured with the fall of the Philippines and suffered the Bataan Death March. Another member, from the South Pacific, was shot down over Yugoslavia, and two were with the Infantry in Europe.
Mrs. Murphy did not know that her husband had been elected a 33° until Ill. David B. Slayton, 33°, presented her with the cap, but she is very pleased with this recognition of her late husband from the Masonic Fraternity.
On Saturday, November 11, 2000, members of the Valley of Tampa, along with members from Ocala, assembled at the Florida National Cemetery, to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our liberties. A contingent of 60 Brothers and their families assembled, with members of the various veterans groups, to participate in the traditional observance of Veterans Day at the Florida National Cemetery. Members of the local Eastern Star Chapter provided the musical and vocal accompaniment for the program, and Bro. David E. Canada, 32°, Past Chairperson of the joint Veterans Committee, introduced the Military Unit Colors. Many of the leaders of the Veterans Organizations that were responsible for the program sponsored by the Joint Veterans Committee are members of the local Masonic Lodges and the Scottish Rite in Ocala. Following the Joint Veterans Committee ceremony, members of the Scottish Rite formed in procession and proceeded to the location of the memorial marker honoring those Scottish Rite Masons who had served in our country's Armed Forces and had made the supreme sacrifice in the defense of our liberties.
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On Veterans Day, November 11, 2000, about 100 Scottish Rite Brethren and their families assembled at the Florida National Cemetery to honor America's veterans by dedicating a memorial marker (left) which reads: "In memory of all Scottish Rite Masons who have served their country. Gone but not forgotten. The Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Southern Jurisdiction, U.S.A." |
Ill. Brother David A. Eschrich, 33°, Personal Representative in the Valley of Tampa, assisted by Brothers from Tampa and Ocala, proceeded to conduct the Ceremony of Dedication. A Proclamation by Inspector Goldsmith was read dedicating November 11, 2000, to the memory of those who had fought to preserve our liberties. The memorial was then dedicated on behalf of all Scottish Rite Masons.
Submitted by Ill. Robert G. Kirkpatrick, 33° Secretary, Valley of Tampa, Florida
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Recently, the Brethren of Spokane, Washington, had the pleasure of a visit from Ill. Ronald A. Seale, 33°, Sovereign Lieutenant Grand Commander, and his lady, Saundra. The Spokane membership enjoyed socializing and dining with Brother Ron and Lady Saundra, and showing them the Spokane Scottish Rite Center for Childhood Language Disorders was a special pleasure. The Board Members of the Center were pleased to hear the high marks Ill. Ron gave the Spokane facility. Pictured above at the Spokane Center are (l. to r.): Ill. Bro. Milton R. "Mike" Snow, 33°, Board Member; Ill. Ronald A. Seale, 33°, Lt. Grand Commander; and E. Edwin E. Weber, 33° Elect, President of the Board. Photo by Bro. Thomas A. Rousseau, 32°, K.C.C. H. |
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On July 18, 2000, about 30 members of the Boise Valley assembled at the Frank Davison Scottish Rite Masonic Center, Boise, Idaho, for the purpose of making an award presentation to Brother Jason Keas. Bro. Jason won the year 2000 Grand Prize, 11th grade and above category, in the Scottish Rite Paul R. Kach DeMolay Essay Contest. His essay, "Leader Education for the Next Generation" was published in the December 2000 Scottish Rite Journal. Jason was accompanied at the award ceremony by his mother, father, and Johnny Willis, a member of Boise Valley from Mountain Home, Idaho, Jason's hometown. It should be noted that Jason's father, Mike, is the Master of Elmore Lodge No. 30 in Mountain Home, and Jason is the Secretary of the Lodge.
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On July 18, 2000, Bro. Jason Keas received checks for $1,500 in recognition for his winning the year 2000 Scottish Rite Paul R. Kach DeMolay Essay Contest Grand Prize, 11th grade and above category. Pictured above at the check presentation ceremony are (l. to r.) Ill. Wayne W. Woodward, 33°, Secretary, Boise Scottish Rite Valley; Bro. Mike Keas, Jason's father and Worshipful Master of Elmore Lodge No. 30, Mountain Home, Idaho; Bro. Jason Keas, Award Recipient and Secretary of Elmore Lodge No. 30; and Ill. Gary W. West, 33°, Deputy of the Supreme Council in Idaho; and Johnny Willis from Mountain Home and a friend of the Keas family. |
The award ceremony was conducted by Ill. Gary W. West, 33°, Deputy of the Supreme Council in Idaho. He complimented Jason on his essay's insights into the limitations of today's education system and the needs of tomorrow's leaders. Deputy West also thanked Jason's parents for their investment of care and guidance in preparing Jason for his future success. Following the award ceremony, pictures were taken of the check presentation, and Jason discussed his plans to enroll in the study of architecture at Boise State University. Clearly, he is worthy of the award granted him by the Scottish Rite, and he will be a credit to the Masonic Fraternity.
November 16–19, 2000, marked a series of red-letter days for the newly named Omaha Scottish Rite Masonic Center. Tours of the recently remodeled building and a rededication ceremony for the building were held in conjunction with the Fall Reunion. On Thursday the 16th, the public was invited to tour the facilities and enjoyed a sack lunch and musical presentations. Tours continued on Friday, and the Reunion itself began Friday evening and continued through Saturday afternoon. The Omaha World Herald and local TV stations covered the events. A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the remodeled building was held Saturday afternoon, the Mayor of Omaha, the Honorable Hal Daub, 33°, officiating. A Scottish Rite rededication ceremony followed, with Ill. Warren D. Lichty, 33°, S.G.I.G. for Nebraska, presiding. He was assisted by M.W. James F. Brown, Jr., 32°, K.C.C.H., Grand Master of Masons in Nebraska, and Ill. Ronald A. Seale, 33°, S.G.I.G. in Louisiana and Lt. Grand Commander of the Supreme Council.
| On November 19, 2000, (l. to r.) Ill. Ronald A. Seale, Lt. Grand Commander; the Honorable Hal Daub, 33°, Mayor of Omaha; Ill. Warren D. Lichty, 33°, S.G.I.G. in Nebraska; and M.W. James F. Brown, 32°, K.C.C.H., Grand Master of Masons in Nebraska, participated in the ribbon cutting and rededication of the remodeled Omaha Scottish Rite Masonic Center. |  |
The evening's festivities culminated with a superb banquet. In addition to Brethren, guests, and the Reunion's 24 class members, other honored participants in the festive occasion included the Grand Master of Masons in Nebraska, M.W. Brown, and four of his Grand Officers; many of the officers and members of Couer de Lion Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine, who had conducted their annual meeting and joined with the assemblage for dinner and fellowship; and the Divan of Omaha's Tangier Shrine Center. There was a great display of Masonic unity, as representatives from the Grand Lodge, York Rite, and Shrine, joined with their Scottish Rite Brethren around the festive board. The banquet's guest speaker, Ill. Bro. Seale, gave a splendid talk, and the festivities concluded on Sunday with more tours and musical presentations. More than 450 people attended the open house during the four days. Thanks go to all the committee members who organized the event as well as to the volunteers who served as tour guides for the public.
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On November 13, 2000, Ill. Don L. Helberg, 33°, Deputy of the Supreme Council in the Orient of New Mexico (r. below), received the honorary degree of "Hero of '76" in Jonathan M. Wainwright Camp of Heroes of '76, Kit Carson Chapter No. 447, National Sojourners, Inc., Albuquerque, New Mexico, at the annual Southwest Area Encampment of Heroes of '76 at Bullhead City, Arizona. Brother Robert W. Zarn, 32°, Sojourner Emeritus, presented Ill. Helberg with his tri-corn hat and Heroes of '76 medal. |
Ill. Robert Lionel Dillard, Jr.,
33°, Grand Cross, passed away on November 30, 2000, in Dallas,
Texas. Brethren throughout Freemasonry share deeply in the grief
felt by Ill. Dillard's family at the passing of this good and
great man.
Born on September 30, 1913, in Corisicana, Texas, Ill. Dillard graduated from Southern Methodist and Harvard Universities, going on to practice law and hold several high offices with the Southland Life Insurance Company of Dallas. Despite his busy professional life, he was very active in many civic and community endeavors such as the Dallas public schools, Dallas Health and Science Museum, Public Television, Texas Assoc. of Education Service Centers, Community Council of Greater Dallas, YMCA, Camp Fire Girls, Boy Scouts, and Methodist Medical Center. Retirement allowed him even more time to devote to Highland Park United Methodist Church, Dallas, where he taught adult Sunday School for over 40 years and filled many important church positions such as Director and Chairman of the Texas Methodist Foundation and United Methodist Retirement Homes of North Texas.
Made a Master Mason in Dallas Lodge No. 760 in 1938 (Master 1947), he served the Grand Lodge of Texas in many important offices before being elected Grand Master in 1961. Having received the Scottish Rite Degrees in Dallas Consistory in 1944, he was designated a K.C.C.H. in 1949, coroneted a 33° in 1953, and honored as a Grand Cross in 1995. He served as Wise Master of Dallas Chapter of Rose Croix, Venerable Master of Dallas Lodge of Perfection, and as Degree Master of the 31st Degree for 25 years. In 1992, his original oil portrait (above) was received into the Scottish Rite Hall of Honor.
An active and outstanding member of nearly every Masonic Body—including Red Cross of Constantine, Rainbow, DeMolay, Texas Lodge of Research, Philalethes Society, Shrine, Royal Order of Scotland, Grand Master Conference, York Rite, and Eastern Star—Ill. Dillard was especially dedicated to the Masonic Home and School of Texas and Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas. Famous for his boundless energy, enthusiasm, and perseverance, Ill. Robert L. Dillard, Jr., 33°, Grand Cross, has established a lifelong record of excellence which will stand forever.