Page 155 - PGM Compendium

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Ronald W. Meier

1955-1956

Ronald Wilson Meier was born at Spokane, Washington on
August 11, 1909. At the age of six months, the family moved
to Seattle. His elementary and high school education was
received in the public schools of Seattle. In 1930, he graduated
cum laude from the University of Washington with the degree
of Bachelor of Arts; and in 1931, secured the degree of
Bachelor of Laws. Most Worshipful Brother Meier was a
member of the scholastic honorary fraternity, Phi Beta Kappa,
and the legal honorary fraternity, Order of the Coif. On being
admitted to the practice of law in January of 1932, he was
associated with his father in that profession until his father's
demise in 1940. He would continue this practice until his retirement in 1977.

Our brother’s Masonic journey began with his raising on December 11, 1930 in George
Washington Lodge No. 251, in Seattle. From that moment on a new motivating force began to
show its effect and events took place in a steady pace. By 1939, he had attained to the station of
Worshipful Master of George Washington Lodge. Later, he became a dual member of Walter F.
Meier Lodge of Research No. 281, the research Lodge named in memory of his distinguished
father. Concordant bodies of Masonry attracted his attention and membership was obtained in the
Scottish Rite Bodies of Seattle (he was coroneted 33° on December 29, 1949); Oriental Chapter
No. 19, Royal Arch Masons; Nile Temple of the Shrine; Seattle High Twelve Club and St. Alban
Conclave, No. 18, Red Cross of Constantine, of which he served as Illustrious Sovereign. Also, he
was Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of New York, near the Grand Lodge of Washington.

From June, 1945 to June of 1946, he held the appointment of Grand Orator, an office he filled with
honor and distinction. From June of 1947 to June of 1952, his services were continued to the Grand
Lodge as a member of the Committee on Jurisprudence. This latter service was terminated by the
brethren of Grand Lodge, they believing he should move forward into greater fields of labor and
service when they elected him to the office of Junior Grand Warden. In successive years,
advancement was made through the stations of Senior Grand Warden and Deputy Grand Master,
and on June 23, 1955, the zenith of a brilliant Masonic career had been attained as Most Worshipful
Brother Ronald Wilson Meier was installed as Grand Master of Masons in Washington. His
installation marked the first time in the history of the Grand Lodge of Washington that the exalted
position of Grand Master had been occupied by a father and son combination, Most Worshipful
Brother Walter Frederick Meier, the father, having been installed into office as the 64th Grand
Master of our Grand Lodge on June 17, 1926.

Unfortunately, the father did not live to realize the fulfillment of his son's ambitions and hopes,