Page 55 - PGM Compendium

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Richard A. Mecartea: 2000-2001

Most Worshipful Brother Richard A. Mecartea was born in Mt.
Vernon on August 9, 1922, to James and Pearl Mecartea. He
shared his childhood with four brothers and three sisters. Our
distinguished Brother attained his early education in the Mt.
Vernon and Marblemount School Systems in Skagit County. He
later moved to Seattle where he graduated from Franklin High
School. During WWII he served in the U.S. Army Field Artillery
and rose to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. His military experience
included serving as an Infantry Artillery Forward Observer in the
South Pacific.

Following his honorable discharge from military service, he
attended the University of Washington and majored in Civil
Engineering. He worked during the summer vacations for a mechanical contractor, and this was the
beginning of his life-long vocation in this field. He held positions as Estimator, Project Supervisor, and
Project Engineer on some significant construction programs, including military projects in Alaska, the
Glen Canyon Dam in Arizona; a natural gas distribution system in Anchorage, Alaska; a five hundred
mile pipeline and related pumping stations in Iran; major hospitals in Seattle - Veterans, Swedish,
Providence, and University of Washington; the major reconstruction of SeaTac International Airport; and
construction of the Boeing Auburn and Everett facilities. Our Brother, upon completing his formal
education at Seattle Community College and Purdue University, taught night school for many years at
Edison Vocational School, Seattle Community College, and Renton Vocational Technical School.

Our brother's Masonic career began June 14, 1957, when he joined Elliott Bay Lodge No. 257, in Seattle
and was enrolled a Master Mason March 4, 1958. After progressing through the Lodge line, he served two
years as Worshipful Master of his Lodge in 1964 and 1965.
His long service in our Grand Lodge began when he was appointed Deputy of the Grand Master for District
No. 5 in 1984 by Most Worshipful Brother Matt Martin. He served continuously in appointed positions
including Grand Lecturer, Grand Marshal, Junior and Senior Grand Deacons, and numerous Committee
positions including Chairman of the Future Planning and By-Laws Committees, until he was elected
Junior Grand Warden in June 1997.

During his tenure as Grand Master he preached a theme of “Shaping the Future” while at the same time
“Improving the Present” by becoming involved in our communities by revealing who we are, what we do,
and what we stand for.
Most Worshipful Brother Dick and his wife, Barbara, celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary during
his year as our Grand Master. They have been blessed with two daughters, Judith and Patricia, four
grandsons, and one granddaughter. Dick and Barbara are very proud of their family. He was active in the

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