Page 78 - PGM Compendium

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Sidney Kase

1990-1991

Most Worshipful Sidney Kase was born July 8, 1922 in New
York City in what would be called poverty. These were
difficult times in the history of our nation and most likely
served to strengthen young Sid’s will to excel in order to
survive or to despair over prospects for the future. He was a
studious reader, seeking knowledge in the sciences,
particularly in the field of medicine. He graduated from
Stuyvesant High School, a science high school with
admission by competitive examination, in the top 10% of his
class, and was accepted into City College of New York.
The United States became involved in World War II, and Sid
was drafted. He chose the medics and became intimately acquainted with litters, wards, and bed
pans (the filling and emptying of same). After a twisted and tortuous path in the military, trying
without success to get into medical school and, exhibiting the tenacity which became his
trademark, he was given a special honorary discharge and was offered a spot at Chicago Medical
School. After 4 years of medical schooling and one year of internship at County Hospital in San
Bernardino, California (all without a good night's sleep), he received his shingle as a bona fide,
long sought, "Doctor of Medicine".

The light of his life, Loretta (Lori) did him the honor of becoming his wife, and he started practice
in Antioch, California, all without the benefit of penny-one. They moved to Truckee, California,
and were enjoying it immensely when the Korean War broke out and Sid was again eligible for
the draft. This time Sid joined the Navy and served on three different troop transports as Senior
Medical Officer. Upon being discharged he found himself eligible to receive benefits from the G.I.
Bill. Taking advantage of this, he entered into a four-year residency program training as a surgeon.
Upon completion of this residency, he started practice in Shelton. Their next move was to Puyallup
where they dropped anchor and he practiced surgery until 1985, after which he continued as a
general practitioner. He finished his medical career as Wards Physician at Western State Hospital
in Steilacoom where he remained until retirement in 1991.

To raise a family and practice Medicine at the same time would seem to be more than a full time
job. However, Most Worshipful Sid found time for other worthwhile endeavors; i.e., his beloved
Craft, Freemasonry.
His Masonic career began when he petitioned Corinthian Lodge No. 38. He was initiated as an
Entered Apprentice on January 8, 1970; passed to the degree of a Fellowcraft Mason on February
12,1970; and Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on April 9, 1970. He served his
Lodge as Worshipful Master in 1978.