SDGMRoeF
FRANK L. ROE 1896-1984
Grand Master of South Dakota, 1972-1973
BIOGRAPHY
From "The First 100 Years of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of South Dakota, 1875-1975", Page 217:
Frank L. Roe was born at Wayne, Nebraska, on April 6, 1896. He received his elementary education in Wayne, Nebraska, graduating from Wayne Public High Schoo! in 1914. He attended Wayne State Normal School, specializing in accounting.
After a time spent in the Wayne County Treasurer's Office and time out to serve his country in World War I, he joined the International Harvester Company in Sioux City. In 1941 he purchased an International Harvester dealership in Beresford and continued in the implement business until 1950 when he retired.
On September 11, 1919, he married Ella Jones in Sioux City, Iowa. They are members of the United Methodist Church.
On August 17, 1917, Brother Roe was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason by his father in Wayne Lodge No. 120, Wayne, Nebraska. On May 6, 1947, he affiliated with Beresford Lodge No. 132, Beresford, South Dakota. He is a member of Yankton Consistory No. 1, having attained the Rank and Decoration of K.C.C.H. He is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star as well as the El Riad Shrine Temple in Sioux Falls.
1973
On June 12, 1973, at ten o'clock at the Masonic Temple, Sioux Falls, the ninety-ninth Annual Commumcation of the Grand Lodge Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of South Dakota, was opened by Most Worshipful Brother Frank L. Roe, Grand Master of Masons of South Dakota.
Brother Roe had adopted a program for the year entitled, "Where is Masonry Today?" It was best explained by quoting from the program as follows:
Masonry certainly is too much needed in the world today and in this century, to let its decline continue into a possible disappearance of our Order and its teachings. Let each one of you, Brother Masons, search, not so much what has caused this situation and declining in our membership, but what can and will, we each do to revitalize Masonry now? Let's make it as meaningful to the men of the next twenty to thirty years and on beyond that as Masonry has been in the past and in our daily living, set a living example, so our fellow en will want to become Masons and especially our younger generation who will be able to take the places of our older Brethren in our Lodges. Brothers, let's get our light out from under the bushel, so to speak, and let our light so shine that all will see it.
During the year Spencer Lodge No. 126 had consolidated with Fortitude Lodge No. 73 at Salem, Howard Lodge No. 45 ad consolidated with Evergreen Lodge No. 17 at Madison, and Central City Lodge No. 22 had surrendered its charter to the Grand Lodge.
These actions changed the number of chartered lodges to 156 and with a loss in membership of 407 left the total membership at 16,094.
A final report of the devastating flood that had struck Rapid City and other parts of the Black Hills showed that "the sleeping giant had raised its hands and pocketbooks to aid and assist" those that were affected. Much credit was given to a group of dedicated Masons from the affected area that carried out the work and distributed the help to the needy brothers and their families.
Four hundred thirty-nine Master Masons had been called away during the year to that Infinite Lodge of the Supreme Architect. In this group had been a well-known and highly respected member, Past Grand Master Herman F. Chapman.
Under the direction of the Board of General Activities, one hundr d thirty-six 50-year medals and pins, thirty-four 60-year palms, and two Distinguished Service Awards had been presented during the year. It was interesting to note that the total of these awards since they were first authorized was as follows: 70-year palms - 15, 60-year palms - 333, 50-year medals and pins - 2,794, and Distinguished Service Awards - 135.
