Page 150 - PGM Compendium

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Ronald W. Meier: 1955-1956

Ronald Wilson Meier was born at Spokane, Washington on August
11, 1909. At the age of six months, the family moved to Seattle. His
elementary and high school education was received in the public
schools of Seattle. In 1930, he graduated cum laude from the
University of Washington with the degree of Bachelor of Arts; and
in 1931, secured the degree of Bachelor of Laws. Most Worshipful
Brother Meier was a member of the scholastic honorary fraternity,
Phi Beta Kappa, and the legal honorary fraternity, Order of the Coif.
On being admitted to the practice of law in January of 1932, he was
associated with his father in that profession until his father's demise
in 1940. He would continue this practice until his retirement in 1977.

Our brother’s Masonic journey began with his raising on December
11, 1930 in George Washington Lodge No. 251, in Seattle. From that
moment on a new motivating force began to show its effect and events took place in a steady pace. By
1939, he had attained to the station of Worshipful Master of George Washington Lodge. Later, he became
a dual member of Walter F. Meier Lodge of Research No. 281, the research Lodge named in memory of
his distinguished father. Concordant bodies of Masonry attracted his attention and membership was
obtained in the Scottish Rite Bodies of Seattle (he was coroneted 33° on December 29, 1949); Oriental
Chapter No. 19, Royal Arch Masons; Nile Temple of the Shrine; Seattle High Twelve Club and St. Alban
Conclave, No. 18, Red Cross of Constantine, of which he served as Illustrious Sovereign. Also, he was
Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of New York, near the Grand Lodge of Washington.

From June, 1945 to June of 1946, he held the appointment of Grand Orator, an office he filled with honor
and distinction. From June of 1947 to June of 1952, his services were continued to the Grand Lodge as a
member of the Committee on Jurisprudence. This latter service was terminated by the brethren of Grand
Lodge, they believing he should move forward into greater fields of labor and service when they elected
him to the office of Junior Grand Warden. In successive years, advancement was made through the stations
of Senior Grand Warden and Deputy Grand Master, and on June 23, 1955, the zenith of a brilliant Masonic
career had been attained as Most Worshipful Brother Ronald Wilson Meier was installed as Grand Master
of Masons in Washington. His installation marked the first time in the history of the Grand Lodge of
Washington that the exalted position of Grand Master had been occupied by a father and son combination,
Most Worshipful Brother Walter Frederick Meier, the father, having been installed into office as the 64th
Grand Master of our Grand Lodge on June 17, 1926.

Unfortunately, the father did not live to realize the fulfillment of his son's ambitions and hopes, having
passed from this life at an untimely age on July 19, 1940.

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