In Memoriam
.
Distinguished Masonic Leader's Career Comes To End After Long Service Masons throughout the country are saddened by the death of Bro . Charles H. Nitsch , R. W. Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania. He was R. W. Grand Master in 1956 and 1957. Bro. Nitsch, who had a distinguished career in Freemasonry, died in Holy Redeemer H ospital, Hun tingdon Valley, on June 19. Bro. Nitsch lived at 720 Upsal Road , Jenkintown. Born in Philadelphia on April 6 , 189 1, he was graduated from Central High School and attended night classes at Drexel Institute of Technology and University of Pennsylvania . He started to work for Stokes and Smith Co. in 1911 as a tracer in the Engineering Department, and was promoted to Chief Engi neer in 1917. ln 1947 Stokes and Smi th merged with FMC Corpora tion. After 45 yea rs with the firm, he retiree! on June 2, 1956, to devote fu ll time to the office of R. W Grand Master of Masons in Pennsylvania . Bro. Nitsch served eight years in the Third Regiment of the National Gum·-cl . During World War I, he was deferred to assist in des ign ing the oil burning equipment fo r the Hog Island fleet. He was very active in va rious civic organizations, having served as president of the Jay Cooke Junior High School Parent- T eachers Association,
Chairman of the Activities Committee of the Northeast Boys Club and a member of the board of managers of the North Branch Y.M.C.A. Bro. Nitsch was a member of Crescent Lodge No. 493 , Free and Accepted Masons, serving the Lodge as Worshi pful Master in 1920. He was elected Senior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in 1952 and elevated to Grand Master in 1956, serving two yea rs as Grand Master. Bro. Nitsch's other Grand Lodge positions included: member Grand Lodge Lecture Corps; Chairman, Committee on Masonic Culture, 1962 and 1963; and Vice Chairman, Committee on Finance. 1964 and 1965. In York Rite Freemasonry, he was a member of Palestine Royal Arch Chapter No . 240, and served as the High Priest in 1943. He also was a District Deputy Grand High Priest. He was a member of Joppa Council No. 46 , Royal and Select Masters St. John's Commandery No . 4, Kni ghts Templar; and Philadelphia Concl ave No.8, Red Cross of Constantine. In Scottish Rite Masonry, he was a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies in Philadelphia since 1919. He served as Thrice Potent Master of Philadelphia Lodge of Perfection, 1934-35; Sovereign Pri nce, De Toi nville Council, 1939-40; and Commander-in-Chief of Benjamin Franklin Consistory, 1946-50.
THE PENNSYLVANIA FREEMASON
Second C lass
Distribution Office MASONIC HOMES Elizabe thtown, Pa. 17022
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The PENNSYLVANIA
FREE1VIASON AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL GRAND LODGE OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF PENNSYLVANIA
VOLUME XXII
AUGUST
e
1975
NUMBER 3
Pzocfamation cRededicafion to CJ'leema~on'l!J Bro. Charles H. Nitsch R. W. Past Grand Master
For his dedicated work in Freemasonr y, Bro. Nitsch was coroneted a Thirtythird Degree Mason in 1928, the highest honor in Scottish Rite Masonry. He also was a member of Lu Lu Shrine Temple, Philadelphia since 1918. Bro. Nitsch was known in many countries outside the United States for his Masonic work. He was extended the following Masonic honors: Hats-off Award, Order of DeMolay. Honorary Legion of Honor of the International Supreme Council of the Order of DeMolay. Honorary Past Grand Master, Grand Lodge of Saskatchewan, Canada. Honorary Member, Grand Lodge, A.F. & AM ., South Dakota. Christopher Champlin Medal for meritorious service, Grand Lodge of Rhode [sland. Pierpont Edwards Medal for distinguished service, Grand Lodge of Connecticut. Jeremy L. Cross Medal for distinguished service, Grand Lodge of New Hampshire. Josiah Hayden Drummond Distinguished Service Medal, Grand Lodge of Maine, Merit Medal, Grand Lodge of the State of Israel. Henry Price Medal, Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. Paulskirche Medal, United Grand Grand Lodges of Germany, and International Gold Medal, Grand Lodge of Cuba. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Gertrude Nitsch ; two daughters, Mrs. Dorothy M. Adamson and Mrs. Betty I. Harvey; three grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
WltezeatJ, the mem bers of our Masonic Fraternity should continually rene w and expand the teachings of Freemasonry and love of country; and
WltezeatJ, appreciation of the wonderful heritage enioyed by all Masons constantly should be recalled; and WltezeatJ, there is considerable apathy on the part of some of our members and a great need to revive and increase active participation when possible; and
WltezeatJ, our nation approaches the Bicentennial year of 1976 with great hope and faith in the future, 1'tow 7/teze/oze, l direct each Masonic Lodge in this jurisdiction, to include in its program at the Stated Meeting of October 1975, an opportunity for the Brethren to rededicate themselves to Freemasonry in general and their beloved country in particular.
Given unde'l my hand and the :1eafofOU'l Gwnd .l!odge, thii CJ-i(teenth dayo{dlugu~ t, dl. Q). 1975, d/..1!. 5 975.
R. W. G rand Master
Attend October "Reded,ication" Meeting · The Pennsylvania 1976 Masonic Emblem will only be available this year at Stated Meetings in October, 1975. Members must attend the Stated Meeting of their . own Lodge to receive one. This is an opportunity for as many Brethren as possible to rededicate themselves to Masonry and Country and support the Grand Master's program to increase Lodge attendance. The following rules w ill govern the October sale of the 1976 Masonic Emblem:
will be responsible for the distribution of the Emblems to Lodges in their respective Districts. 3. Visitors cannot purchase an Em· blem. 4. No exceptions can be made.
l. Masons can purchase the Emblem at the October Stated Meeting of their own Lodge at a cost of $2.00. 2. District Deputy Grand Masters
1976 Masonic Emblem
Wearing the Emblem in 1975 has been restricted to those who have attended the "Rededication " meeting of their own Lodge. Those who cannot attend the October Stated Meeting of their Lodge can obtain an Emblem for delivery after January 1, 1976, by sending $2.25 to the Committee on Masonic Culture, 1 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia , Pa. 19 107. The price covers mailing and postage costs.