Page 188 - PGM Compendium

Brother Walter had, in 1923, been greeted as a Select Master in Adoniram Council, No. 17, R. & S. M.,
had progressed to Illustrious Master in 1930 and then went on to be elected Grand Illustrious Master of
the Grand Council. He was also a Past Commander of University Commandery of Knights Templar. In
addition to his long service as Secretary of University Lodge, he also served for many years as Secretary
of University Chapter of Royal Arch and also as Secretary of University Commandery.

This most distinguished Mason was also very active in Scottish Rite and, for his good works in the Rite,
Walter was made a 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason. In 1919 he had been initiated into Nile Temple of
the Shrine but never took an active part in that organization.

Brother Walter first attended Grand Lodge in 1924 and, in 1935-1936, he served as Grand Master of all
Masons in Washington and Alaska. During his term as Grand Master, M⸫W⸫ Steffey initiated the most
of his many contributions to Masons in this Grand Jurisdiction when he had created the Masonic Home
Endowment Fund. This fund started with $200.00 and has grown to several million dollars, the interest
from which pays for a large proportion of the operation of the Home, Washington Masonry's most
important contribution to Masonic benevolence. This Endowment Fund is a living monument to the
farsightedness of M.'.W.". Brother Walter Steffey, and a great financial saving to every Mason in this
Grand Jurisdiction. While his Masonic activities took a great deal of his time. Brother Walter carried on
his vocation in electrical work. After several years with Seattle City Light, he went into electrical
contracting, in which work he was earning his living until his retirement.

Brother Walter never neglected his civic duty and, as he was named after Benjamin Harrison, a noted
Republican President, his entire political activities were spent in support of Republican candidates.

Brother Walter also took an active part in many community activities, the last of which when he was
appointed by Mayor Gordon Clinton to be on the Board of Theatre Supervisors. He was a humble man
who had strong convictions as to what a man's life should be, and he believed that what the world needed
most was a return to decency of conduct, respect for hard work, law and order. Especially did he believe
in the equality of man before the law and equal economic opportunity for all. Because of his study and
many talks on Negro Masonry, Prince Hall Masons gave him a recognition banquet and presented him
with an award. This award came because Brother Walter had appeared before the State Supreme Court as
a witness in a trial which decreed that Prince Hall Masonry was the only legal Negro Lodge in Washington.

The Grand Chaplain of 1967-1968, Bro. Louis V. Martin, expressed the philosophy that was held by
M⸫W⸫ Steffey.

In his remarks before Grand Lodge in 1968, Rev. Martin said this, "Life is by no means all sunshine. We
are in a world where the Lights go out; where friends and loved ones are constantly being called to death's
great procession, and where we, too, in a few days or months, or years, must surrender to God the Life
which He has given. God made a rainbow of promise and hope shine brightly in the sky as a token of His
Covenant." Masonry is a life dedicated to help keep that light burning for all people everywhere, to help
protect their liberty and freedom, to keep the rainbow of promise and hope alive and shining brightly for
all humanity."

M⸫W⸫ Walter H. Steffey was one of those great souls who kept alive that hope for all of us by his devoted
work in Freemasonry.

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