Page 55 - PGM Compendium

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Robert L. Van Zee

2001-2002

Most Worshipful Brother Robert Lester Van Zee was born on June
8, 1939 in Chariton, Iowa, a small farming community in the south-
central part of the state. Like most small towns in that area, life
revolved around farming. His father delivered fuel to the farms and
young Van Zee accompanied his dad and picked up an understanding
of community values at an early age. The Van Zee family attended
the First Presbyterian Church in Chariton and he became active in
youth group activities. In high school, he was active in sports
including football, basketball, and track. He also was involved in the
high school drama program, which subsequently turned out to be a good preparation for his later
involvement in Masonry.

Following graduation from high school in 1957 young Van Zee joined the U.S. Navy. The Navy
trained him to be a nuclear reactor technician and power plant operator. He shipped out to sea
aboard the
U.S.S. Ticonderoga and after his tour of duty there he transferred to the Naval Reactor Facility
outside Idaho Falls, Idaho, where he served as an electronics instructor. The Navy returned him to
sea duty aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise in December of 1962.
It was while he was on leave during his transfer that he was Initiated and Passed in his father’s
Lodge; Chariton Lodge No.63, Grand Lodge A.F.& A.M. of Iowa. He was Raised a Master Mason
in that Lodge on March 11, 1964, following his honorable discharge from the Navy. After his tours
of duty he transferred to the Naval Reactor Facility outside Idaho Falls, Idaho, where he served as
an electronics instructor.

Soon after, Brother Van Zee enrolled in Central College in Pella, Iowa. After two years there, he
transferred to the University of Iowa where he would graduate in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science
Degree in Occupational Therapy. He also held a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from
Eastern Washington University.

While in college, Brother Van Zee married Veda Beem in June of 1965. His career took them to
Minnesota, Washington State, back to Iowa, Nebraska, and then back to Washington State in 1975.
During this time they raised four boys, and the family would grow to include five granddaughters
and one grandson.

Our brother’s professional career included 34 years of service with the federal government. He
would formally retire in 1999, following 23 years at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in
Spokane. His duties there included that of Occupational Therapist, Volunteer Service Director,
Public Relations Officer, Health Systems Specialist, and Management Analyst.