MAGLFCaspar
Contents
FREDERICK GUSTAVE CASPAR 1894-1982
- MM 1917, WM 1935, 1936, Grecian
- DDGM, Lawrence 11, 1950-1951
- Junior Grand Warden 1963
MEMORIAL
PROCEEDINGS, 1982
From Proceedings 1982, Page 98:
Right Worshipful Frederick Gustave Caspar was born in Lisbon Falls, Maine on July 8, 1894, the son of Richard G. and Emma H. (Knuepher) Caspar. He grew up on Lisbon Falls, attended public schools there, and graduated from Lisbon Falls High School. He also graduated from Bliss Business School of Lewiston, Maine.
He came to Lawrence in 1914 and was associated with his uncle in a retail business ol which he became owner in 1941. This successful enterprise continued until his retirement in 1971. During this time he was actively engaged in the affairs of the business community serving as President of the Chamber of Commerce and President of the Atlantic Cooperative Bank. His other civic activities included being a Charter Member and Past President of the Lawrence Lions Club, Trustee of the Lawrence Boys Club, and over thirty years as a member of the Y.M.C.A.
Brother Caspar's Masonic record is long and distinguished. He received his Entered Apprentice Degree on March 9, 1917, Fellow Craft Degree on April 27, 1917, and his Master Mason Degree on June 15, 1917 in Grecian Lodge of Lawrence. He was Worshipful Master of Grecian Lodge in 1935-1936 and District Deputy Grand Master of the Lawrence Eleventh Masonic District in 1950-1951.
In Grand Lodge Brother Caspar was Junior Grand Warden in 1963 and Grand Representative to Prince Edward Island from 1955 to 1982. He was a member of the Education Committee from 1955 to 1962. He received the Henry Price Medal in 1963 and the Veteran's Medal in 1967. He was presented a plaque commemorating sixty-five years a member in 1982.
A long time member of the York Rite Brother Caspar was exalted a Royal Arch Mason in Mount Sinai Royal Arch chapter on April 17, 1924, received the Super Excellent Degree in Lawrence Council Royal and Select Masters on June 11, 1924, and, was created a Knight Templar in Bethany Commandery No. 17 on June 23, 1924. He served Bethany Commandery for two years as Standard Bearer and three years as Captain of the Guard.
Brother Caspar had a long and active career in the Scottish Rite. He belonged to Lawrence Lodge of Perfection, Zion Council Princes of Jerusalem, Lowell Council Princes of Jerusalem, Mount Calvary Chapter of Rose Croix, Lowell, and Massachusetts Consistory. He was Most Wise Master of Mount Calvary Chapter from 1964 to 1967. He received the Honorary 33rd Degree in Chicago, Illinois on September 27, 1961.
A veteran of World War I. Brother Caspar served in the United States Army as a Sergeant First Class in France.
He was a member of the First Congregational Church of Methuen, and served that church as a Deacon for eight years and also as a Trustee.
Brother Caspar was married to Dorothy Ruth Swanton on October 3, 1928 in the First Baptist Church, Methuen. They have a daughter, Dorothy Ann, who along with her mother survives him. Right Worshipful Brother Caspar died at Lawrence General Hospital, Lawrence on July 4, L982. A Memorial Service was held on Wednesday, July 7, 1982 at First Church Congregational, Methuen. He led a long, active and productive life filled with love, service and dedication to God, his country, his family, the community, and to Masonry, exemplifying throughout his life the finest principles of our Fraternity.
Respectfully submitted,
Eugene G. Oldfield
Fred A. Dobson
Norman A. Ray
Committee
COUNCIL OF DELIBERATION, 1983
From Proceedings of the Massachusetts Council of Deliberation AASR NMJ 1983, Page 24:
Ill. Frederick Gustave Caspar, 33°
Born in Lisbon Falls, Maine, July 8, 1894
Died in Lawrence, Massachusetts, July 4, 1982
Ill. Frederick Gustave Caspar was born in Lisbon Falls. Maine July 8, 1894, the son of Richard G. and Emma H. (Knuepfer) Caspar. He received his education in the Lisbon Falls schools and the Bliss Business School of Lewiston, Maine.
In 1914 he entered the employment of his uncle, Reinhardt Knuepfer, in the firm of Knuepfer and Dimmock, a musical supply house, in Lawrence, Massachusetts. He steadily advanced and assumed full ownership of the firm in 1941, retiring from active business in 1971.
In 1928 he married Dorothy R. Swanton in Methuen, Massachusetts. He is survived by his widow, a daughter Dorothy Ann of Blanford, Connecticut, and one sister, Mrs. Helen Cowan of Portland, Maine.
A veteran of World War I, he served as a sergeant in the 302nd Infantry.
His community service was extensive. He served as President of the Atlantic Cooperative Bank, Lawrence, Massachusetts; President of the Lawrence Lions Club, of which he was a Charter Member; a director of the Y.M.C.A. and the Lawrence Boys' Club. He was especially active in the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce where he was instrumental in instituting the early closing of stores on the main street on Christmas Eve.
A member of First Church Congregational, he served for many years as Deacon and Trustee and was elected a Deacon Emeritus.
Illustrious Brother Caspar began his Masonic career in Grecian Lodge, Lawrence, Massachusetts, being raised to the sublime degree on June 14, 1917. He served the Lodge as Master in 1935-1936.
He was a member of the Education Committee of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts for several years, a Past District Deputy Grand Master, the Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Prince Edward Island to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, a Past Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts and holder of the Henry Price Medal, the highest award of the Grand Lodge.
He held membership in the York Rite Bodies of Lawrence, Massachusetts, and was a member of the Red Cross of Constantine.
From 1925 to his death he was most active in the Scottish Rite Bodies of Lawrence, Lowell and Boston, Massachusetts. For many years he was an active degree worker and was a Past Most Wise Master of Mount Calvary Chapter of Rose Croix, Lowell, Massachusetts. Illustrious Brother Caspar was created a Sovereign Grand Inspector General, 33°, Honorary Member of the Supreme Council on September 27, 1961.
A member of Aleppo Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S., he served as President of the Merrimack Valley Shrine Club.
Funeral services were private. A memorial service was conducted by the Reverend David Ladre on Wednesday, July 7, 1982 in First Church Congregational, Methuen, Massachusetts.
Illustrious Brother Caspar during his lifetime espoused the truly Masonic virtue Friendship. He looked "not to another life, but the perfection of this one."
