Page 142 - PGM Compendium
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Robert H. Guthrie: 1959-1960
Most Worshipful Brother Robert Henry Guthrie was born in
Seattle on September 7, 1886, to Edwin and Amanda Guthrie. His
father was of Scotch descent and his mother Swedish. Edwin
Guthrie was a pioneer in the development of the Seattle
waterfront owning and operating the first piledriver in this city.
Brother Guthrie's father passed away when Brother Bob was but
three years of age. The family lived mostly in the Fremont and
Green Lake districts. He attended B. F. Day School in Fremont
and Central High School in Seattle. He also worked in Doctor
Miller's Drug Store in Fremont while attending high school.
Additional education included courses in mechanical drawing at
the Y.M.C.A. Night School and mechanical engineering through
the International Correspondence Schools.
Brother Guthrie learned the pattern-making trade and later
opened and operated the Standard Pattern Works for twelve
years. He was President of the Pattern Makers Association during 1909 and attended the National
Convention in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, that year. After opening his own business he withdrew from the
Pattern Makers Association and became a member of Metal Trades of Seattle. In 1920 he sold the pattern
works and moved to the Yakima Valley where he purchased a 110 acre fruit ranch, which would be named
Guthrie Orchards, near Wapato.
The ranch had diversified crops of peaches, pears, prunes and apples. Upon Brother Guthrie’s retirement,
his son, Charles, took over the active management of the ranch, giving our Most Worshipful Brother the
opportunity to give his full time to his avocations: Freemasonry, fishing, and woodworking.
This distinguished Brother has an enviable record in Freemasonry and in civic and community affairs. In
1917 the Guthries built a home on Green Lake Way in Seattle and became active in the Edgewater
Congregational Church. Here, he taught a Sunday School class of young men and was Superintendent of
the Sunday School. After moving to the Yakima Valley he was a member of the Parker Heights School
Board for two terms. He was been active in Boy Scouts as assistant Scout Master and Board Member of
Parker Heights Scout Troop, and also was President of Yakima Area Council of Boy Scouts of America
for two terms. He was a member of Wapato Lions Club, President of Lions Club 1946-47, District
Governor of District No. 19-D Lions International 1948-49 and served a term as International Councilor
of Lions International.
It was through his friendship with two brothers, George and Algernon (Allie) Green, that he became
interested in Masonry and petitioned Green Lake Lodge No. 149, for the Degrees. He was initiated as an
Entered Apprentice Mason July 21, 1914, passed to the Degree of Fellowcraft August 4, 1914, and raised
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