Page 53 - PGM Compendium

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Robert L. Van Zee: 2001-2002

Most Worshipful Brother Robert Lester Van Zee was born on
June 8, 1939 in Chariton, Iowa, a small farming community in
the south-central part of the state. Like most small towns in that
area, life revolved around farming. His father delivered fuel to
the farms and young Van Zee accompanied his dad and picked
up an understanding of community values at an early age. The
Van Zee family attended the First Presbyterian Church in
Chariton and he became active in youth group activities. In high
school, he was active in sports including football, basketball,
and track. He also was involved in the high school drama
program, which subsequently turned out to be a good
preparation for his later involvement in Masonry.

Following graduation from high school in 1957 young Van Zee
joined the U.S. Navy. The Navy trained him to be a nuclear reactor technician and power plant operator.
He shipped out to sea aboard the
U.S.S. Ticonderoga and after his tour of duty there he transferred to the Naval Reactor Facility outside
Idaho Falls, Idaho, where he served as an electronics instructor. The Navy returned him to sea duty aboard
the U.S.S. Enterprise in December of 1962.

It was while he was on leave during his transfer that he was Initiated and Passed in his father’s Lodge;
Chariton Lodge No.63, Grand Lodge A.F.& A.M. of Iowa. He was Raised a Master Mason in that Lodge
on March 11, 1964, following his honorable discharge from the Navy. After his tours of duty he transferred
to the Naval Reactor Facility outside Idaho Falls, Idaho, where he served as an electronics instructor.

Soon after, Brother Van Zee enrolled in Central College in Pella, Iowa. After two years there, he
transferred to the University of Iowa where he would graduate in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science Degree
in Occupational Therapy. He also held a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Eastern
Washington University.

While in college, Brother Van Zee married Veda Beem in June of 1965. His career took them to
Minnesota, Washington State, back to Iowa, Nebraska, and then back to Washington State in 1975. During
this time they raised four boys, and the family would grow to include five granddaughters and one
grandson.

Our brother’s professional career included 34 years of service with the federal government. He would
formally retire in 1999, following 23 years at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Spokane. His duties
there included that of Occupational Therapist, Volunteer Service Director, Public Relations Officer,
Health Systems Specialist, and Management Analyst.

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