RIGMReuter

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WESLEY JOHN REUTER 1922-1997

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Grand Master 1977-1978

BIOGRAPHY

Wesley John Reuter of Chepachet was elected and installed the One Hundred and Twenty-Second Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons of the Grand Lodge of the Most Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons for the State S? Rhode Island and Providence Plantations at its 186th Annual Communication held at the Scottish Rite Cathedral in Cranston, Rhode Island on May 16, 1977.

Most Worshipful Brother Reuter was born in Sandusky, Ohio on June 14, 1922, the son of Herman L. and Anna (Monsen) Reuter.

He was educated in the public schools in Sandusky, Ohio and graduated from Sandusky High School in June, 1940.

Upon graduating from High School he was employed by the Sandusky Foundry & Machine Company from October, 1940 to November, 1942 at which time he enlisted in the Armed Forces of our country. He served in the United States Navy, during World War II as Chief Yeoman on board the U. S. S. Brooklyn (CL-40) in the European-African-Middle Eastern Area until March, 1946.

Upon his discharge from the Navy, he went to work for Warren W. York & Co., a securities investment firm in Allen-town, Pennsylvania at the request of its senior partner — Mr. Robert V. H. Harned — with whom he was associated with on board the U.S.S. BROOKLYN.

In 1948, he moved to Warwick, Rhode Island and went to work at the Providence Journal Company until 1950.

For sixteen years, from 1950 through 1966, he served as Office Manager and Comptroller of the Providence Office of G. H. Walker & Co. (a Member Firm of the New York Stock Exchange).

From 1966 to the present, he has been associated with Providence Investors Company, a non-diversified management investment company, in the capacity of Treasurer and Assistant Secretary. In February, 1970, he was elected a Director of Providence Investors Company at which time he also became a member of its Investment Committee — positions he currently holds.

On August 31, 1946, he married the former Muriel Bernice Henry of Providence, Rhode Island. Sixteen years later, this union was blessed by adopting two fine boys — John Alan now aged 16, and Mark Andrew now aged 13. The}' currently reside on Money Hill Road in the Village of Chepachet, Town of Glocester, Rhode Island. His Masonic Career has been a very meaningful part of his daily endeavors. He was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in St. Johns Lodge No. 1, Providence on May 19, 1954 and was admitted in June of the same year.

At the Annual Communication of St. Johns Lodge on December 27, 1955, he was appointed Sentinel by our late brother — Worshipful Brother J. Ernest Dyson — on December 27, 1962 he was elected and installed Worshipful Master.

He was appointed District Deputy Grand Master of the Seventh Masonic District in May, 1968, by Most Worshipful Brother Kenneth G. Pearson and the following years was appointed to similar positions in the districts. On May 20, 1974 he was elected Right Worshipful Junior Grand Warden; Right Worshipful Senior Grand Warden on May 19, 1975; and Deputy Grand Master on May 17, 1976.

Since 1965, he has been the Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of New South Wales near the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island.

He holds membership in the following Masonic Organizations: Providence Royal Arch Chapter No. 1, R. A. M.; Providence Council No. 1, R. & S. M.; St. John's Commandery No. 1, Knights Templar — of which he is Past Commander; and the Four Bodies of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite in the Valley of Providence. He also is a member of Providence Chapter No. 1, Order of Eastern Star; Masonic Grand Lodge Charities of R.I.; Moslem Grotto; The Masonic Veterans Association of R.I.; Gaspee Order No. 99, Swords of Bunker Hill; and Educational Lodge No. 1002, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

He became a member of Palestine Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., on June 4, 1977 — about three weeks after he was elected Grand Master — and received his "Fez" from Illustrious John S. Moffat, Potentate, through the hands of Imperial Potentate, Peter Val Preda.

On April 22, 1972 he was truly honored by having been made the only Honorary Member of Friendship Lodge No. 7, Chepachet, Rhode Island — Established May 5, 1800.

On May 31, 1974 he was again honored when he was made a Knight Companion of the Red Cross of Constantine (Plantations Conclave Stationed at Providence). He has endeavored to be of service to his Craft having been a lecturer for the Grand Lodge Forums of Masonic Education; Co-Chairman of the Vocational Guidance Committee of the Masonic Youth Foundation; intermittingly a member of the Board of Managers of Grand Lodge Charities of R. I. — its Chairman in 1967; a member for many years and Chairman for a number of years on the Finance (Investment) Committee of Grand Lodge Charities of R.I.; member of the Benevolent Fund Committee of the Providence Royal Arch Chapter No. 1; Treasurer of Providence Royal Arch Chapter No. 1 from November 1973 to November 1975; director of Freemasons Hall Company from 1964 to 1973; and by virtue of his offices — served on numerous other committees.

He was awarded the Exemplary Service Medal of the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island on May 19, 1969.

On April 19, 1978, his Mother Lodge — St. John's Lodge No. 1, Providence — awarded him their highest award — The St. John's Distinguished Service Medal.

He currently serves as Chairman of the Finance Committee of St. John's Lodge No. 1, Providence, having been a member of it for many years; also Treasurer of St. John's Commandery No. 1, Knights Templar which he took over upon the death of Eminent Sir Knight Carl R. Mitchell in 1974.

Sandwiched within these activities he, somehow, found time to assist in the Sunday School Department of the Chepachet Union Church from 1965 to date although only joining the church in 1973; served a number of years as a member of the Executive Committee of the Chepachet Fire District; and served a few years as a Director of Rhode Island Camps, Inc. (Beach Pond Camp — for underprivileged children).

He is also a charter member of the Franklin Mint Collectors Society.


Rhode Island People