Page 95 - PGM Compendium

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Herbert M. Edman: 1981-1982

Most Worshipful Brother Herbert M. Edman was born in the now
non-existent mining community of Franklin on January 12, 1916.
In 1921, the family moved to Enumclaw where attended the public
schools and graduated from Enumclaw High School in 1934. He
would find his way to Kelso in 1940 where he met and
subsequently married Elwanda (Wanda) Parsons, and the union
produced two children, Sandra Lee and Jerry Sue. Herb & Wanda
were blessed with six grandchildren.
In 1948, our brother relocated to Renton where he joined the
Renton Police Department serving first as a patrolman. He was
promoted to Sergeant in 1962, and elevated to Lieutenant in charge
of Records and Communication in 1966. An early retirement was
granted in 1970 as a result of a leg injury suffered in a patrol car accident occurring during the chase and
apprehension of a fleeing suspect who was later convicted.
He received the Degrees of Masonry in Tyee Lodge No. 115, being raised to the Sublime Degree of Master
Mason on July 3, 1958. He was appointed Junior Steward in 1959, and was elevated by appointment and
election becoming Master of the Lodge in 1963. His dedication to good ritual was evidenced by passing
the examination and securing a Three Year Certificate of Proficiency from the Grand Lodge.
His competency well established, Herbert Edman was appointed as Deputy of the Grand Master in District
No. 13, 1969-1971. He was appointed Grand Chaplain in 1972, Grand Marshal in 1973, Grand Lecturer
in 1974, and Grand Historian in 1975. In 1975 the Brethren of Grand Lodge elected him to be their Junior
Grand Warden and from there he advanced through the chairs until he was elected Grand Master in June
of 1981.
Other Masonic organizations to which our Grand Master belonged included a dual membership in Walter
F. Meier Lodge of Research No. 281, Scottish Rite Bodies of Seattle, Issaquah Chapter of Royal Arch
Masons in Renton, DeMolay, Tyee Chapter No. 122 Order of the Eastern Star, and the Goose and Gridiron.
In his report to the Grand Lodge, Most Worshipful Brother Edman shared these words: “The principles of
Masonry are as old as the history of mankind. They will never be forgotten by men of character. Living
by those principles one becomes a true representative of the Fraternity, and those with a wish to emulate
these representatives will inquire and thus petition for membership. Quantity with quality should be the
aim and will be as long as we exemplify the tenets that have made this Fraternity a part of so many lives
through history.”

Most Worshipful Brother Herbert M. Edman passed to eternal rest on May 16, 1998.

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