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ALTON L. MILLER 1890-1984

Deputy Grand Master, 1951

MEMORIAL

From Proceedings, Page 1984-57:

On March 20, 1984, at Gilford, New Hampshire, a distinguished and highly respected member of our Grand Lodge was called to the Celestial Lodge above. His quiet, dignified presence during his long life had a great influence on a large circle of friends who came to know him.

Right Worshipful Alton Lombard Miller was born at Somerville, Massachusetts on April 10, 1890, the son of Charles Nahum Miller and Lula E. (Lombard) Miller. Upon his graduation from Somerville High School he enrolled at Harvard University where he received three degrees: a B.A. in 1911, an M.A. in 1913 and a Ph.D. in 1916. He pursued post-graduate studies at the University of Turin, Italy, and at the University of Michigan, serving also as an instructor in Mathematics at both Harvard and the University of Michigan, and later at Gordon College of Theology and Missions, as well as a teacher of Chemistry at Browne and Nichols School. In 1917 he became active in the family business and affiliated companies of Charles N. Miller Company, confectioners, serving as Treasurer, General Manager, and later as President. He also served as a Director of the Pilgrim Trust until his retirement in 1964.

Right Worshipful Brother Miller was raised in Beth-Horon Lodge A.F & A.M. at Brookline, Massachusetts on June 6, 1923. He served as Master of Beth-Horon Lodge in 1937. He was launched on a distinguished career in our Grand Lodge when he was appointed by Most Worshipful Arthur W. Coolidge in 1944 to be District Deputy Grand Master of the Waltham Fifth Masonic District, serving in 1944 and 1945. ln 1945 he was appointed Grand Representative of the Grand lodge of Louisiana near the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts and served Masonry in that capacity until his death. He affiliated with Nehoiden Lodge of Needham in 1947.

In 1951 Most Worshipful Thomas Sherrard Roy appointed Right Worshipful Brother Miller to be his Deputy Grand Master. He was awarded the coveted Henry Price Medal, the highest award of our Grand Lodge, on February 6, 1951. He received the Veteran's Medal in 1973.

He also found time during his very busy life to devote to service in collateral bodies. In 1923 he received the Royal Arch degree in St. Paul's Chapter at Boston and was for many years, beginnlng in 1942, Treasurer of that body. He received the Order of the Temple in Boston Commandery in 1924, but later transferred his Commandery affiliation to DeMolay Commandery No. 7 in 1928, serving as Captain-General 1945-46, and as Eminent Commander in 1948. He received his Scottish Rite degrees in the Valley of Boston in 1936. In the affiliated and related bodies he became a member of Aleppo Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S. in 1949.

llcryite his extensive Masonic activities and active business career, he somehow found ample time to devote to his church, and to public service. . LMg his lifetime he served ably as President of the New England Confectioners Association, the Confectioners Club of Boston, the University Club, the Boston Baptist Social Union, and the Northern Baptist Convention. He was chairman of the Board of Managers for the American Baptist Foreign Missions Society, and Vice President of the Massachusetts Bible Society, the Laymans Missionary Movement, and as a Director of the Chinese Mission of New England.

He was a Trustee of the Home Savings Bank of Boston, Wheelock College, the General Theological Library and the Andover Newton Theological Seminary. His club memberships included The Harvard Club of Boston, the Harvard Faculty Club, the University Club, the Harvard Musical Association, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Mathematical Society, the American Association of Mathematicians' and the American Philatelic Society.

He leaves his wife, Ruth E. Morgan, two daughters, Ruth Gates of Needham and Dr. Mary M. Dietrich of Harborside, Maine, six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, March 24, 1984, in the First Baptist Church at Needham. Interment was at Forest Hills Cemetery, Boston.

Right Worshipful Brother Miller's life was one of service to mankind as well as Masonry. It was one that we should all be inspired to emulate. The members of this committee appointed by the Grand Master to prepare and present this memorial are honored to have the privilege of affixing their signatures to this tribute to a Mason and a fine man.

Respectfully submitted,
W. Bradford Chase, Jr.,
Kevin D. Bittner,
F. Crockett Brown
Committee

Distinguished Brothers