Page 70 - PGM Compendium

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Milton R. Benson

1994-1995

Most Worshipful Grand Master Milton Ray Benson was born
August 31, 1926, in Seattle. In 1933, his family moved to Tacoma
where he attended school until 1944, when his family moved to
Bremerton. He graduated from Bremerton High School and enlisted
in the Navy but a childhood ear infection had left with a punctured
eardrum from the then current treatment for mastoiditis and the
Navy turned him down. He thereupon enlisted in the United States
Merchant Marine and sailed the North Pacific and Alaska waters for
the next three years, serving as a radio operator.
When his tour of duty in the Merchant Marine ended. Brother
Benson returned to the Kitsap Peninsula area where he attended Olympic College in Bremerton
before transferring to the University of Washington, He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in
Electrical Engineering in 1951. The young engineer was hired by Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing
Company and spent the next three years working in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In J 954, he returned
to the Pacific Northwest and began a career with the Boeing Aircraft Company which lasted thirty-
three years. Following his retirement from Boeing in 1989, he founded a successful engineering
consulting firm.
In 1946, Brother Benson met Lyla Carlson and they were married in August of 1947. Milton and
Lyla Benson became the parents for three girls and two boys. The family was always involved
with Masonry.

Most Worshipful Brother Benson became a Master Mason on June 7, 1962, in Ark Lodge, No,
126, and served as its Worshipful Master in 1971. He received his first Grand Lodge appointment
in 1972 as Senior Grand Steward and has served as a Grand Lodge officer, Deputy of the Grand
Master, or Committeeman for the next eighteen years. His service included one year each as Grand
Lecturer and Grand Historian and two years as Deputy of the Grand Master in District No. 6.

Testimony to Most Worshipful Brother Benson's Masonic accomplishments were the numerous
responsibilities he took on and the honors the Grand Lodge and Concordant Bodies have showered
upon him. He became a Royal Arch Mason in Amity Chapter, No. 53, on March 23, 1972. He
served as High Priest of that Chapter in 1976. Thereafter he held a number of appointive offices
in Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Washington including that of District Deputy for the
Grand High Priest. He served as the Most Excellent High Priest of Royal Arch Masons of
Washington in 1985-86. He was also a Past Illustrious Master of Seattle Council No. 6, Royal and
Select Masters of Washington, Past Eminent Commander of Rainier Commandery No. 28, Knight
Templar of Washington; Past Sovereign Master, Chinook Council No. 77, Allied Masonic
Degrees; Past Father Noah, Puget Sound Lodge No 5, Royal Ark Mariners; Past Governor, Rainier