Departed Grand Lodge Leaders
Past Chief Justice of the Grand Forum Donald F. Nemitz of St. Charles, MO, Lodge died recently. Brother Nemitz served on the Grand Forum from 1979-83, the final year as Chief Justice. He also served on the GL Pardon Commission as chairman in 1982-83, on the GL Government Relations Committee in 1983-84, and on the GL Committee on Judiciary in 1984-85. He further was Special Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler from 1976-78, District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler for the Northeast District of Missouri in 1975-76, and a Past State President of the Missouri Elks Association.Past District Deputy Willis S. Claus of Albuquerque, NM, Lodge died recently. Brother Claus served as District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler for the Northwest District of New Mexico in 1976-77. He was also a Past State President of the New Mexico Elks Association.
Past District Deputy Mike Fondi of Ely, NV, Lodge died August 2. Brother Fondi served as District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler for the South District of Nevada in 1967-68.
Past District Deputy Edward H. Gamber of Upper Sandusky, OH, Lodge died recently. Brother Gamber served as District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler for the West Central District of Ohio in 1982-83.
Past District Deputy Orville L. Heise of Westminster, CA, Lodge died August 5. Brother Heise served as District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler for the Orange Coast District of California in 1984-85.
Past District Deputy Robert E. Kesson of Coeur d'Alene, ID, Lodge died July 3. Brother Kesson served as District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler for the North District of Idaho in 1994-95.
Past District Deputy John J. Kueberth of Edgewood, MD, Lodge died recently. Brother Kueberth served as District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler for the Northeast District of Maryland, Delaware, and District of Columbia in 1980-81.
Past District Deputy Robert Mansell of Lebanon, NH, Lodge died recently. Brother Mansell served as District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler for the North District of New Hampshire in 1991-92.
Past District Deputy Ward D. Miller of Ajo, AZ, Lodge died recently. Brother Miller served as District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler for the West District of Arizona in 1978-79.
Past District Deputy Gilbert H. Ridder of Olympia, WA, Lodge died August 4. Brother Ridder served as District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler for the West Central District of Washington in 1975-76.
Past District Deputy John Rosasco of Coral Gables, FL, Lodge died recently. Brother Rosasco served as District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler for the South District of Florida in 1954-55.
Past District Deputy John F. Strand of Redding, CA, Lodge died recently. While a member of Monmouth, IL, Lodge, Brother Strand served as District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler for the West Central District of Illinois in 1935-36.