Passing of Brother Earl D. Swenson, 32°, KCCH

Brethren,

The role of the workman has been called and, one Master Mason, Brother Earl D. Swenson, 32°, KCCH, has not answered to his name. He has laid down the working tools of life and with them has left that mortal part for which he no longer has use. His labors here below have taught him to divest his heart and conscience of the vices and superfluity of life, thereby fitting his mind as a living stone for that spiritual building, that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Strengthened in his labors here by faith in God, and confident of expectation of immortality, he has been granted admission to the Celestial Lodge above. His Brethren mourn the passing of a great man and Mason.

Worshipful Brother Earl David Swenson, 32°, Knight Commander of the Court of Honour, was born on March 9th, 1923 in Boone, Iowa and passed to the Celestial Lodge in his 97th year on August 26th, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. He served in the United States Military and was Raised a Master Mason in at the age of 22 and maintained active membership for 75 years in the Fraternity. He was a member of Parkrose Masonic Lodge No. 179 A.F. & A.M. of Oregon where he served as Worshipful Master, and he was also a member of East Gate Lodge No. 155, and Beaverton Lodge No. 100. He received the Scottish Rite degrees on May 21st, 2005 in the Portland Valley in the Orient of Oregon; he was a Knight of Saint Andrew and invested as a Knight Commander of the Court of Honour on November 2nd, 2013. He was also a Noble member of the Al Kader Shrine Temple in Wilsonville, Oregon. Brother Earl had a smile and energy that could brighten any room, he will be truly missed. Funeral and memorial arrangements are unknown at this time.

A simple tribute to a great Brother

Part 3 of The mystery of Emil Weber by Br. Michael Robinson

Brethren,
Here is part 3 of the Weber – Olds story. The trial portion is shorter since much of it was the same. This is followed by the stories of several Masons who were involved; County Treasurer Frank Hacheney, Penumbra Kelly the Multnomah County Sheriff (you may have heard the name recently in connection to the disputed building in the Portland news) and Andrew Roberts. A number of other Masons are also included. More to come.

Michael Robinson 32º K.C.C.H.
Orient Historian

Part 2 of The mystery of Emil Weber by Br. Michael Robinson

Brethren,
Here continues the story of the Killing of Emil Weber in front of the Masonic Temple in Portland. The trial of “Sandy” Olds took place soon after the murder. The details of the trial are herein revealed. This is followed by the stories of two Masons who were on the jury and the relatives of one of those men, who were also Masons. The next chapter will follow soon and has the stories of several other Masons who played a part in the event and the trial, and several other Masons connected to them.
Fraternally,
Michael D. Robinson, 32°,  K.C.C.H. 
Oregon Scottish Rite Orient Historian

Passing of Brother Robert Paul “Dad” Hamilton, 32°

Brethren,

The role of the workman has been called and, one Master Mason, Brother Robert Paul Hamilton, 32°, has not answered to his name. He has laid down the working tools of life and with them has left that mortal part for which he no longer has use. His labors here below have taught his to divest his heart and conscience of the vices and superfluity of life, thereby fitting his mind as a living stone for that spiritual building, that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Strengthened in his labors here by faith in God, and confident of expectation of immortality, he has been granted admission to the Celestial Lodge above. His Brethren mourn the passing of a great man and Mason.  He will be missed.

Brother Bob Hamilton 32° was born October 10, 1924.  He served as Worshipful Master of Grants Pass Lodge #84 in Grants Pass Oregon. He was affectionately called “Dad” by those who knew him for his kind and considerate demeanor.  He was a great mentor to many young Masons in the Grants Pass Lodge and Hillah Shrine.

Brother Bob received the Scottish Rite degrees on November 9, 1984 in the Medford Valley. He was also a member of Hillah Shriners and served as Potentate in 1992.  Brother Bob was involved in numerous Masonic Organizations in his fraternal life serving a leadership role in Blue Lodge Masonry, Shrine Masonry, York Rite Masonry and Scottish Rite Masonry.   He died in Grants Pass Oregon on July 9, 2010 at the age of 96 years Brother Bob was a U. S.  Veteran serving in WWII.  Plans for a memorial service has not yet been announced.

Fraternally,
Bruce A. Kundert, 32° KCCH
Personal Representative of the SGIG
Medford Valley Scottish Rite

Medford Scottish Rite Lifeline Screening!

Brethren,

Lifeline Screening will again be here on 09/08/20 at 8:30am. If you have signed up for the screening, you will be notified in the near future. If you would like to have a screening, please call me so I can get you on the schedule.

Ed Davis
General Secretary
Medford Scottish Rite
541-772-2205

New Supreme Council Podcast – Circumambulations

Listen to “The Way of the Walk: Circumambulation itself” on Spreaker.

For your listening enjoyment Circumambulations; Scottish Rite Symbols & Stories.

This series sponsored by the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite, SJ, “explores the ideas and symbols of Freemasonry, in particular the Scottish Rite Degrees, and supplements them with insight from other historical, cultural and esoteric traditions from around the world.” Hosted by Illustrious Brother Mark Oldknow, 33°, from the Valley of Santa Fe in the Orient of New Mexico.

https://www.spreaker.com/user/tylersplace/circumambulations-1

July Blog Post Speech & Language Charity News

Speech & Language Charity News

As summer moves steadily toward fall and the Covid-19 remains part of our life, there are bright spots that can be shared with the hope of providing a positive light for each of us to consider.

Our Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Speech & Language Clinic continues to generate success via Telepractice at Portland State University. In March of this year the Clinic was faced with suspending in-person speech therapy for children and transitioning to Telepractice.

The clinic confronted the tasks of training Portland State University staff and families in using the emerging technology. Faced with licensure laws, supervision regulations and the actual use of the equipment needed, Professor Meyer and Dr. McGill have met the challenge. In great part this has been made possible by the generous support of your Speech & Language Charity, of Dr. McGill’s research and training protocols for Telepractice.

The Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Speech & Language Clinic is now serving 41 children free of charge through Telepractice throughout Oregon. From the humble beginnings just two years ago the Clinic is now able to serve children with cleft lip and palate, children who require communication devices to speak, voice disorders, those with cochlear implants and children with literacy issues.

“Scottish Rite funding has been crucial to maintaining operations”, said Professor Meyer. “With Covid-19, the impact on both the clinic and the families has never been greater”, She said. PSU staff hopes to use this as an opportunity to expand Telepractice therapy to all of Oregon. As we all know children in rural communities, in underserved areas and families unable to reach the physical location of the clinic due to transportation obstacles are not currently being served to the degree necessary.

According to Professor Meyer, the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Speech & Language Clinic is changing lives. What better way to live the spirit of Scottish Rite and Masonry than to support our Speech & Language Charity with a tax deductible donation.

In Brotherhood,
Bill Anton 33°
OPR & Past President
Speech & Language Charity