Page 147 - PGM Compendium

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Robert H. Guthrie

1959-1960

Most Worshipful Brother Robert Henry Guthrie was born in
Seattle on September 7, 1886, to Edwin and Amanda Guthrie.
His father was of Scotch descent and his mother Swedish.
Edwin Guthrie was a pioneer in the development of the Seattle
waterfront owning and operating the first piledriver in this city.

Brother Guthrie's father passed away when Brother Bob was
but three years of age. The family lived mostly in the Fremont
and Green Lake districts. He attended B. F. Day School in
Fremont and Central High School in Seattle. He also worked in
Doctor Miller's Drug Store in Fremont while attending high
school. Additional education included courses in mechanical
drawing at the Y.M.C.A. Night School and mechanical engineering through the International
Correspondence Schools.

Brother Guthrie learned the pattern-making trade and later opened and operated the Standard
Pattern Works for twelve years. He was President of the Pattern Makers Association during 1909
and attended the National Convention in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, that year. After opening his
own business he withdrew from the Pattern Makers Association and became a member of Metal
Trades of Seattle. In 1920 he sold the pattern works and moved to the Yakima Valley where he
purchased a 110 acre fruit ranch, which would be named Guthrie Orchards, near Wapato.

The ranch had diversified crops of peaches, pears, prunes and apples. Upon Brother Guthrie’s
retirement, his son, Charles, took over the active management of the ranch, giving our Most
Worshipful Brother the opportunity to give his full time to his avocations: Freemasonry, fishing,
and woodworking.

This distinguished Brother has an enviable record in Freemasonry and in civic and community
affairs. In 1917 the Guthries built a home on Green Lake Way in Seattle and became active in the
Edgewater Congregational Church. Here, he taught a Sunday School class of young men and was
Superintendent of the Sunday School. After moving to the Yakima Valley he was a member of the
Parker Heights School Board for two terms. He was been active in Boy Scouts as assistant Scout
Master and Board Member of Parker Heights Scout Troop, and also was President of Yakima Area
Council of Boy Scouts of America for two terms. He was a member of Wapato Lions Club,
President of Lions Club 1946-47, District Governor of District No. 19-D Lions International 1948-
49 and served a term as International Councilor of Lions International.

It was through his friendship with two brothers, George and Algernon (Allie) Green, that he
became interested in Masonry and petitioned Green Lake Lodge No. 149, for the Degrees. He was