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Iowa Masonic Information
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T. S. Parvin Award

The spirit of the award is described in the following paragraphs written by John Harris Watts, Grand Secretary Recorder of the Grand Chapter and Grand Council.

T. S. Parvin came to Iowa as a handicapped young man, and became one of the best-known Masons in the world. He was the first Mason in Iowa to hold the office of Grand Secretary, Grand High Priest, Grand Master of the Council, Grand Commander, and Grand Recorder of the Grand Encampment (National). As founder of the Iowa Masonic Library and the State Library of Iowa, he left his mark on both Freemasonry and his adopted state. He was one of the founders of the Iowa State Education Association and served as its president.

The T. S. Parvin Award, established in 1982 by the Iowa Conference for Masonic Cooperation is presented annually to an Iowa Mason, who has not previously been honored by having been elected or appointed to a Grand Office in any Masonic body. (Nor higher than the 32 degree in the Scottish Rite), and who best exemplifies the spirit of Masonry which was lived by our distinguished Brother who said, “I want to be remembered among Masons as one who gave the Fraternity the very best there was in him, not thinking of reward in dollars and cents.”

A committee composed of the Grand Master of Masons, Grand High Priest; Grand Master of the Council, Grand Commander, Sovereign Grand Inspector General 33° and Chairman of the Iowa Conference chose the recipient from nominations submitted from all parts of the state.

The recipients of the Award are listed below.

YEAR - RECIPIENT, LODGE NAME
1982 - J Kent Zickefoose, Capital Lodge No 110
1983 - Carl J Van Sickle, Otley Lodge No. 299 *
1984 - Stanley G Schreiber, Hiram of Tyre Lodge No. 203 *
1985 - C Warren Delk, Auburn Lodge No. 592 *
1986 - Donald R Hankens, Speculative Lodge No. 307 *
1987 - J Neil Chicken, Faith Lodge No. 179 *
1988 - Arthur D Alber, Southgate Lodge No. 657
1989 - Charles L Jones , Northern Light Lodge No. 266 *
1990 - Laurence E Kynett, Emulation Lodge No. 255 *
1991 - John W Mathes, Waveland Park Lodge No. 654 *
1992 - Delman L Bowers, Waterloo Lodge No. 105 *
1993 - Aaron L Lake, Davenport Lodge No. 37
1994 - Rex L Brammer , Mosaic Lodge No. 125
1995 - Paul K Mc Crea , Montague Lodge No. 117
1996 - Jerry F Monroe, Adel Lodge No. 80
1997 - George S Eichhorn, Acorn Lodge No. 601
1998 - Robert Lee Goeken, Grove Lodge No. 492
1999 -Howard H Geddes, Adel Lodge No. 80
2000 - Frank C. Osdoba, Twilight Lodge No. 329
2001 - Orrin J Oliver, Charity Lodge No. 197
2002 - Henry N Wallace, Mt. Olive Lodge No. 79 *
2003 - Melvin C Price, Kingston Lodge No. 676 *
2004 - Madison M. Tomfeld, Herman Lodge No. 273
2005 - R. Wayne Stanfley, Dubuque Lodge No. 3,
Tri-State Morning Lodge No. 673,
Julien Lodge No. 551
2006 - Don Davis, Great Lights Lodge No. 181 *
2007 - Floyd W. Nesbit, Crest City Lodge #522
Vernon J. Van Sickle - Montague Lodge # 117 - Eldora
2008 - Glenn Lockhart, Signet Lodge No 264 - Carroll
2009 - Herbert Franklin Ramsey
Home Lodge # 370 & Capitol Lodge #110 - Des Moines
*Deceased

Grand Chapter Awards

Ritual Jewel
- General Grand Chapter

Click on the picture of the Jewel to be taken to a page showing the qualifications. Use back arrow to return to this page.

Marion L. Reinhardt -

Melvin E. Sickles - Chapter #125

David M. Dryer - Cornthian Chapter #14

W. Charles Smithson - Corinthian # 14

Ascalon #139

Zerubbabel Red Apron Award

William F. Bostwick - Euclid Chapter #43

General Grand Chapter
Bronze Medal

This is an Award given by the General Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons International. One Award is given each year to the Companion which the Grand High Priest deems to have contributed the most to Royal Arch Masonry in the State of Iowa. While you will see many Past Grand High Priests in this listing they earned their award before assuming the purple of the Order.

Living Recipients -

• Marion L. Reinhardt - Marion Chapter # 10 - 1977
• Arthur M. Brown - Davenport Chapter # 16 - 1978
• Maynard J. Smith - Liberty Chapter # 79 - 1982
  
• Wilbur C. Bennett - Sioux City Chapter #26 - 1984
• James W. Gould - Clinton Chapter # 9 - 1986
• Wayne A. Syverson - Tabernacle Chapter # 52 - 1988
• Melvin E. Sickels - Monroe Chapter #125 - 1991
• Wiliam R. Kauten - Tabernacle Chapter # 52 - 1992
• Clinton L. Smith - Euclid Chapter #43 - 1993
• Glenn E. Holmes - Valley Chapter # 20 - 1994
• Elmer A. Weir - Jeptha Chapter No. 128 - 1995
• Robert D. Christensen - Olivet Chapter # 107 - 1996
• Cecil R. Lowe - Iowa Chapter # 1 - 1997
• Franklin D. Rinehart - Monroe Chapter #125 - 1998
• William E. Etter - Signet Chapter # 38 - 1999
• Larry L. Harvey - Corner Stone Chapter # 64 - 2000
• Gregory L. Andersen - Anchor Chapter #69 - 2001
• James A. Nagel - Iowa Chapter # 1 - 2003
• Charles A. Scott - Star Chapter # 47 - 2004
• C. Ray Pike - Triune Chapter # 81 - 2005
• James M. Dixon - Iowa Chapter # 1 - 2006
• David M. Dryer - Corinthian Chapter # 14 - 2007
• W. Charles Smithson - Ascalon Chapter # 139/ Corinthian Chapter # 14 - 2008
  
• Loren C. Stein - Iowa Chapter # 3 - 2009
  

Knights of the Royal Arch

This award is given to up to four members each year upon nomination from their local Chapter. It is indeed a high honor as the recipients must have proven themselves worthy by the vote of their local Companions who know their merit. The Grand Chapter is pleased to recognize that merit with this honor

Living Recipients

• Frederick A. McCard - Eureka Chapter #77 - 1969
• William F. Bostwick - Euclid Chapter #43 - 1975
• John C. Lytle - Hiram Chapter #6 - 1977
• Kenneth R. Pease - Dubuque Chapter #3 - 1983
• James J. Conrey - Liberty Chapter #79 - 1986
• Derwood G. Keith - Liberty Chapter # 79 - 1988
• Donald E. Giesemann - Dubuque Chapter #3 - 1991
• Delbert E. Humeston - Tadmore Chapter #18 - 1991
• David L. Slater - Sioux City Chapter #26 - 1991
• Alexander P. Kane - Sioux City Chapter #26 - 1992
• Ralph A. Livermore -Triune Chapter #81 - 1992
• Lynn A. Caster - Davenport Chapter #16 - 1993
• Vernon F. Harrington - Sioux City Chapter #26 - 1994
• Leslie G. Duff - Corner Stone Chapter #64 - 1994
• William M. Lundeen - Triune Chapter #81 - 1994
• Charles R. Osing - Clinton Chapter #9 - 1995
• Stephen G. Libby - Trowel Chapter #49 - 1995
• R. Wayne Stanfley - Dubuque Chapter #3 - 1996
• David C. Baker - Liberty Chapter #79 - 1996
• David M. Livermore - Triune Chapter #81 - 1997
• James H. Stewart - Oelwein Chapter #130 - 1997
• James E. Stephens - Ascalon Chapter #139 - 1997
• George R. McCormick - Iowa City Chapter #2 - 1998
• Warren J. Petersen - Dubuque Chapter #3 - 1998
• Melvin A. Reynolds - Dubuque Chapter #3 -1999
• Charles E. Beadles - Tadmore Chapter #18 - 1999
• Jeffrey R. Buchman - Sioux City Chapter #26 - 1999
• Harold Gene Leonard - Eureka Chapter #77 - 2000
• D. Leon Ling -Burning Bush Chapter #90 - 2000
• W. Kenneth Geyer - Monroe Chapter #125 - 2000
• Wm. Stevens Elliott - Marion Chapter #10 /Trowel Chapter #49 -2001
• George J. Harrison - Sioux City Chapter #26 - 2001
• Paul C. Proud - Keystone Chapter #32 - 2001
• Lester Poole - Monroe Chapter #125 - 2001
• James A. Nagel - Iowa Chapter #1 - 2002
• Franklin D. Rinehart - Monroe Chapter #125 - 2002
• Kermit W. Smith - Iowa Chapter #1 - 2003
• Wain A. Sloan - Clinton Chapter #9 - 2003
• Joe Coats, Jr. - Euclid Chapter #43 - 2003
• Floyd McClellan - Clnton Chapter #9 - 2004
• Harvey D. Johnson - Tabernacle Chapter #52 -2004
• Vernon R.Fritz - Corner Stone Chapter #1 - 2004
• Willard M. Loper - Iowa Chapter #1 - 2005
• Wade E. Sheeler - Gebal Chapter #12 - 2005
• Ronald B. Jones - Tabernacle Chapter #52 - 2005
• Paul R. McCoy - Montgomery Chapter #57 - 2005
• Dennis M. Zahrt - Davenport Chapter #16 - 2006
• Ray J. Heick - Leon Chapter #33 - 2006
• R. T. Royalty, Sr. - Star Chapter #47 - 2006
• Joseph M. Buresh - Trowel Chapter #49 - 2006
• D. Keith Robertson - Dubuque Chapter #3 - 2007
• Merle E. Folkers - Marion Chapter #10 - 2007
• Robert L Lyons - Signet Chapter #38 - 2007
• W. Charles Smithson - Ascalon Chapter #139 - 2007
• Robert B. Strong -Tabernacle Chapter #52 - 2008
• Douglas L. Tucker - Corner Stone Chapter #64 - 2008
• David Wayne Baker - Joshua Chapter #127 - 2008
• Larry E. Shears - -2009

Chapter Sweetheart Award
Marlys Kauten - Waterloo - 2009

Grand Council Awards

Mordhurst Medal

A medal awarded to the Grand Recorder of a Grand Council who has served 15 years or more, and not to be awarded prior to the date of qualification.

John Harris Watts

Cryptic Masons
of the Year Medal

One medal each year presented to a Cryptic Mason by the General Grand Council to a man selected by each Grand Council for outstanding service to Cryptic Masonry. Each Grand Council and each subordinate Council will select its own Cryptic Mason of the Year according to the rules and regulations:

• Vilas C. (Sid) Morris - Aaron Council # 58 - 1978
• Arthur M. Brown - Scott Council #53 - 1979
• Edward W. Fulier - Webb Council #18 - 1990
• Gordon R. Swanson - Zadok Council #24 - 1991
• John A. Jones - King Solomon Council # 20 - 1992
• William Stevens Elliott - Palestine Council #27 - 1994
• Wayne A. Syverson - Trowel Council #51 - 1997
• Herbert F. Ramsey - Alpha Council #1 - 1999
• Robert D. Christensen - Adelphia Council #4 - 2000
• Donald E.Giesemann - Dubuque Council #3 - 2001
• George J. Harrison - Zadok Council # 24 - 2002
• Tim S. Anderson - Chariton Council #42/Knoxville Council #61 - 2003
• Thomas E. H. Gruis - Alpha Council #1 - 2004
• Frank C. Osdoba - Zadok Council #24/Earnest Council #54 - 2005
• Charles W. Becker - Mt. Zion Council #62 - 2007
  
• Loren C. Stein - Zerubbabel Council #22 - 2008
• Randy L. Hill - Alpha Council # 1 - 2009
  

Adult Leadership Award

One medal presented annually in each Jurisdiction affiliated with General Grand Council to a nominee who shall be a leader in one of the youth organizations recognized by the General Grand Council, namely: Order of DeMolay, Order of Rainbow for Girls or Order of Job's Daughters. Requirements here.

• Gary W. Shaulis - Aaron Council #58 - 1985
• Donald L. Heath - Aaron Council #58 - 1988
• Donald E. Giesemann - Dubuque Council #3 - 1990
• Matthew J. Kuhn - Crescent Council #16 - 1992
• Leland V. Fagan - Zadok Council #24 - 1994
• Jay Cole Simser - Gebal Council # 5 - 1995
• D. Dean Johnson - Alpha Council #1- 1996
• John L. McCallum - Mason City Council #45 - 1997
• James E. Allen - Swafford Council #28 - 1998
• Rhonda Reid - Cedar Falls - 2000
• Nancy Watson - Sioux City - 2001
• Loren C. Stein - Zerubbabel Council # 22 - 2002
• Charles R. Osing - Ottumwa Council #31 - 2003
• Shane A. Harshbarger - Zerubbabel Council #22 - 2004
• Mary E. Danner - Muscatine -2006
• Kevin R. Smith - Swafford Council #28 - 2007
• Donald R. Sardeson - Alpha Council #1 - 2008
• Robert Smith - Mason City #45 - 2009
  

Lady of the Council

All Cryptic Masons know and appreciate the help and support of their ladies.
The General Grand council has developed an Award to recognize and honor these Ladies for outstanding dedication and support to Cryptic Masons.
The Award is a beautiful gold and purple pin with the Cryptic Mason's emblem surrounded by a gold wreath.

• Jacqueline D. Watts - 2004
• Patricia R. Fischer - 2006
• Christa Guthrie - 2007
  
• Elinor Kornhauser - 2008
• Katie Reed - 2009
  

Knights of Ish Sodi

This award which means "Man of my choice" is given to up to five members each year upon nomination from their local Council. It is indeed a high honor as the recipients must have proven themselves worthy by the vote of their local Companions who know their merit. The Grand Council is pleased to recognize that merit with this honor.

• Howard N. Rooney - Council #15 - Council Bluffs - 1961
• C. B. C0ykendall - Council #30 - Red Oak - 1967
• John C. Lytle - Council #Oskaloosa - 1971
• Ted D. Shelly - Council #9 - Muscatine - 1973
• Richard G. Witt - Council #20 - Marshalltown - 1974
• Delbert Humeston - Council #61 -Knoxville - 1974
• Herbert F. Ramsey - Council #1 - Des Moines - 1976
• John N. Steel - Council # 27 - Cedar Rapids - 1977
• Donald W, Huygens - Council #45 - Mason City - 1978
• Donald E. Giesemann - Council #3 - Dubuque - 1979
• David E. Mason - Council #53 - Davenport - 1980
• James A. Fischer - Council #18 - Muscatine - 1983
• David D. Lynk - Council #20 - Marshalltown - 1983
• Edward W. Fuller - Council #18 - Muscatine - 1985
• Wilbur D. Bennett - Council #24 - Sioux City - 1985
• D. Keith Robertson - Council #3 - Dubuque - 1986
• Dennis M. Zahrt- Council #53 - Davenport - 1986
• Douglas L Tucker- Council #56 -Jefferson - 1986
• Melvin A. Reynolds- Council #3 Dubuque -1987
• John C. Vaughn - Council #45- Mason City - 1987
• Vernon C. Watkins - - Council #24 - Sioux City -1989
• Clinton L. Smith- Council #48- Centerville -1989
• John Lewis Mills- Council #37 - Spencer - 1989
  
• Jess Boatright- Council #16 - Waterloo - 1990
• Leland V. Fgan - Council #24 - Sioux City - 1990
• Gary D. Tharp - Council #1 - Des Moines - 1991
• James E. Batcheller - Council #24 - Sioux City -1991
• Dean Harlan - Council #31 - Ottumwa - 1991
• Carl E. Graham- Council #53 - Davenport - 1991
• Alan L. Fagan - Council #24-Sioux City - 1992
• LeRoy W. Scheeper - Council #59 - Davenport - 1992
• Berdette O. Bryngleson - - Council #20 - Marshalltown - 1993
• Clyde E. Reasland - Council # 58 - Cedar Falls - 1993
• Tim S. Anderson - Council #61- Knoxville -1993
• Lawrence W. Nelson -- Council #23 - Clinton - 1994
• Charles R. Osing- Council #31 - Ottumwa - 1995
• Howard Lee Townsend - Council #53 - Davenport - 1995
• D. Leon Ling- Council #57- Cherokee- 1996
• R. Wayne Stanfley- Council #3 - Dubuque - 1997
• Richard A. Zummak - Council #16 - Waterloo - 1997
• Charles J. Carnes - Council #24 - Sioux City - 1997
• George M. Sellers - Council #61 - Knoxville - 1997
• Vernon F. Harrington - Council #24 - Sioux City - 1998
• Carl A. Fuchs - Council #1 - Des Moines - 1999
• John W. Clearman - Council #1 - Des Moines - 1999
• William R. Kauten - Council #16 - Waterloo - 1999
• Jeffrey R. Buchman - Council #24 - Sioux City - 1999
• William P. Dusenbery - Council #21 - Waterloo - 2000
• Thomas J. Allen - Council #22 - Burlington - 2000
  
• W. Bruce Wilson - Council #24 - Sioux City - 2000
• Elmer Louth - Council #31 - Ottumwa - 2000
• Robert B. Strong - Council #16 - Waterloo - 2000
• George J. Harrison - Council #24 - Sioux City - 2001
• Carroll L Burgus - Council #31 - Ottumwa - 2001
• Eugene L. Aldrich - Council #48 - Centerville - 2001
• Howard G. Berkenbosch - Council #55 - Newton -2002
• James A. Nagel - Council #22 - Burlington - 2002
• Merle L. Folkers - Council #27 - Cedar Rapids - 2002
• James F. Cobb - Council #5 - Ames - 2003
• Leslie M. Reinertson - Council #16 - Waterloo - 2003
• William A. Etter - Council #20 - Marshalltown - 2003
• William F. Bostwick - Council #48 - Centerville - 2003
• William R. Clark, Jr. - Council #1 - Des Moines - 2004
• Harvey D. Johnson - Council #16 - Waterloo - 2004
• Jack A. Newton - Council #20 - Marshalltown - 2004
• Vernon R. Fritz - Council #56 - Jefferson - 2004
• Franklin D. Rienhart - Council #61- Knoxville - 2004
• C. Ray Pike - Council #15 - Council Bluffs -2005
• Charles A. Scott - Council #15 - Council Bluffs - 2005
• Richard W. Martin - Council #24 - Sioux City - 2005
• Darrell H. Bachtell - Council #22 - Burlington - 2006
• Harold M. Plate - Council #28 - Iowa City - 2006
• Ray J. Heick - Council #46 - Albia - 2006
• G. E. McKimpson - Council #52 - Oelwein - 2006
• Larry L. Harvey - Council #56 - Jefferson - 2006
• Thomas E. H. Gruis - Council #1 - Des Moines - 2007
• J. Carl Yoder - Council #28 - Iowa City - 2007
• Robert L. Smith - Council #45 - Mason City - 2007
• Harold M Sawyer - Council #54 - Estherville - 2007
• Paul Dale Robinson - Council #61 - Knoxville - 2007
• W. Charles Smithson - Council #1 - Des Moines - 2008
• Robert J. Seiler - Council #23 - Clinton - 2008
• David W. Baker - Council #5 - Ames - 2008
• Rick L. Butler - Council #48 - Centerville - 2008
• Richard Bowersox - Council # 27 - 2009
• Randall Crouch - Council # 24 - 2009
• Paul Wofford - Council # 54 - 2009
• Rex Clark - Council # 46 - 2009
• Gregory Kenkel - Council # 24 - 2009
  

Grand Commandery Awards

Knights Templar Cross of Honor
Templary's Highest Honor

The Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States of America presents the Knights Templar Cross of Honor to Sir Knights who have demonstrated meritorious service to Templary. The Constitution and Statutes of the Grand Encampment state that the Knights Templar Cross of Honor "shall be awarded only for exceptional and meritorious service rendered to the order far beyond the call of duty and beyond the service usually expected of an officer or member."

2008 - Tim Scott Anderson
- Apollo Commandery # 26

2009 - Gregory L. Andersen

- St. Elmo Commandery #49







Knight Commander of the Temple

One or more Sir Knights may be honored each year in a jurisdiction with this award, recognizing the honoree’s service to the causes of Knights Templar. Updated 9/13/09



Eugene L. Aldrich -
Robert D. Allen
Thomas J. Allen
Howard G. Berkenbosch
Berdette O. Bringleson
Jeffrey Buchman
Eugene H. Chappell
David M. Dryer
William P. Duesenbery
Tom Eggleston

Junior Ekins
Andrew Emmert
James A. Fischer
George J. Harrison
Paul E. Heckman

Billy Joe Hildreth

Bryce Brend Hildreth

Glenn E. Holmes

Delbert R. Humeston
Edward T. Johnson
John A. Jones
Alexander P. Kane
Robert A. Kennedy
Steve Libby
Ralph Livermore
Willard M. Loper
Cecil R. Lowe
Glenn N. Marshall
Albert R. Masters
Morden McFadden
Neil I. Millard
James A. Nagel
Donald Radloff
Norman R. Rank
Clyde E. Reasland
Dale Robinson
LeRoy W. Scheeper
George M. Sellers
Melvin E. Sickles
Clinton L. Smith
Kenneth L. Smith
Neal Smith
R. Wayne Stanfley

Wayne A. Syverson
Howard Townsend
Vernon C. Watkins
John Harris Watts
Robert L. Woodburn
Charles D. Yates
Richard A. Zummak

York Rite College

©YRSC

At the 51st General Assembly held in Reston, Virginia Lewis & Clark College # 199 of Iowa attained the recognition of an "Honor College" for the 2007-2008 year. (To become an Honor College, the college must score 100 points or more on the Activity Sheet. -Lewis & Clark College scored 117 points.

The Order of the Purple Cross of York, the highest honor of the York Rite College. It is conferred upon those members of the College who have distinguished themselves by their service to humanity or to the Rite, The recipients are designated Associate Regents of the Sovereign College, and from their ranks are chosen the Regents or active members of that body. There are two Colleges in Iowa. Members marked with a + are dual members of both Iowa College and Lewis and Clark College.

©YRSC
John Harris Watts -1973
Paul M. Gidel -1979
Albert R. Masters -1983
Charles D. Yates+ -1993
George L. Gay -1995
Marion L. Reinhart -1996
Norman R. Rank -1997
James A. Fischer-1998
Jay Cole Simser+ -1998
Philip A. Severson+ -2001
Melvin E. Sickels -2001
Clinton L. Smith -2001
Vernon C. Watkins -2001
Kenneth L. Smith -2003
William R. Kauten -2004
Berdette O. Bryngelsen + -2005
George J. Harrison + -2006
Bryce B. Hildreth - 2008
Billy Joe Hildreth - 2008
Tim S. Anderson - 2008
Greg L. Andersen+ - 2009
David M. Dryer+ - 2009

Nominated
Jeffrey R. Buchman

Distinguished Service Award

David M. Dryer - 2008
Douglas Ross Heath - 2009

Gold Honor Awards


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The Gold Honor Award may be given to any Mason for unselfish and faithful service in any branch of the York Rite. The recipient need not to be a member of a College, nor is it required that he be a member of all the other York Rite bodies.

Robert Seiler
Donald Radloff
P. Dale Robinson
Randall Crouch
Robert King
Rollen Phillips
David Baker
Dennis Boehmer
Frank Osdoba
Charles Smithson
Jeff Buchman
Floyd Nesbit

Wade Sheeler

Jason Wolcott