Page 68 - PGM Compendium

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Glen P. Stedman

1995-1996

Most Worshipful Brother Glen Preston Stedman was born March
21, 1930 in Dayton to Reuben and Beulah Bruce Stedman, early
day settlers in Columbia County. Brother Stedman shared a home
with five brothers on the family farm. His grandfather, Preston
Stedman, was an early day member of Dayton Masonic Lodge.

Our Brother attended elementary and high school in Dayton and,
in 1948, enlisted in the U.S. Navy. In his Naval career he served as
a Baker, Firefighter, Boatswain's Mate, and Fire Control
Technician. His highest enlisted grade was Chief Fire Control
Technician (Senior Grade), and Lieutenant USN Limited Duty Surface Ordnance, as a
Commissioned Officer. During his 26-year career he served on two Aircraft Carriers, one
Battleship (T.A.D.), one Guided Missile Cruiser, two Destroyers, and three Destroyer Tenders.
His last duty station was the Naval Ammunition Depot in Hawthorne, Nevada. He retired from the
Navy on November 1, 1972.

While on leave from the Navy, Brother Stedman married Marilyn K. "Molly" Ashley, on August
14, 1955. They had two children, a son, Gregory Bruce, and a daughter, Michelle Marie, and eight
grandchildren. Molly was a real partner, sharing in the many absences and inconveniences from
their home, and had to forego her career with the Dayton School system in order to travel with our
Past Grand Master.

After his Naval career he graduated from Walla Walla Community College with an Associates of
Arts Degree. In 1974 he was elected as County Commissioner for Columbia County, and served
in this position until 1986. He was elected Columbia County Hospital Commissioner, serving in
that capacity from 1989 until 1995. In 1991, he served as a District Judge in Columbia County,
and in 1993 was appointed as Municipal Judge of Waitsburg. His varied career included 20 years
as an insurance agent, from 1975 until 1995.

Glen Preston Stedman was raised in Palos Verdes Lodge No. 384, in Long Beach, California, on
October 24, 1968. He affiliated with Dayton Lodge No. 26 on May 27, 1974. He was Worshipful
Master of Dayton Lodge in 1978, High Priest of Dayton Chapter No. 5, R.A.M., in 1990; Worthy
Patron of Rainbow Chapter No. 2, O.E.S., on multiple occasions. In 1981 he was elected Secretary
of Dayton Lodge, a position he held for 24 years. On February 22, 1983, he associated with the
Scottish Rite, Walla Walla Valley. On March 3, 1983, he took the Commandary Degrees of York
Rite and, on March 23, 1993, the Council Degrees of York Rite. In 1988 he joined the Red Cross
of Constantine as well as becoming a member of the Shrine. On July 19, 1990 he became a plural
member in Eastern Washington Lodge of Research, No. 310, and on February 15, 1993, was
installed Venerable Master of the Lodge of Perfection in Walla Walla. On November 11, 1995, he