Robert O. Ralston collection, 1974-2003

Robert O. Ralston was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on October 8, 1938. His formal educational background consists of primary and secondary schooling in the Cincinnati Public Schools, continuing at the University of Cincinnati to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, and finally receiving his Master of Business Administration from Xavier University in 1966. In 1963, Robert Ralston married Susann Rose Fels, and had two children, Stephen and Julia. Ralston belongs to York Rite Bodies, Royal Order of Jesters,Syrian Temple, AAONMS, Red Cross of Constantine, and Royal Order of Scotland. He was also a Board of Governors for the Shriners Burns Institute, Cincinnati.

His Masonic career began in 1960 when Ralston became a Master Mason in the Evanston-Eversull Lodge, No. 695, in Norwood, Ohio. He quickly became an asset to the Masonry, finishing his Scottish Rite degrees in 1967 and serving as Master Mason, Trustee, and Thrice-Potent Master before earning his 33rd degree in 1981. While pursuing his Masonic degrees Ralston advanced in his business career. He began working during college at Cincinnati Milacron, advancing to Vice-President of Service Parts Division before leaving in 1988 to accept the position of President of Research Design and development Corporation in Erie, Pennsylvania. In 1990 he accepted the position of Vice-President in charge of manufacturing at Mazak Corporation in Florence, Kentucky where he remained until being elected an Active Member in the Supreme Council in September 1992, placing him in line to succeed Francis G. Paul as Sovereign Grand Commander.

Robert Ralston’s decade of leadership was marked with energy. From the onset, Ralston spoke of his commitment “to a fraternity that demonstrates enthusiasm, solutions and service” (Northern Lights Nov. 93, p2). His list of accomplishments proves he stayed true to words. Upon his installation into the office of Sovereign Grand Commander on September 1, 1993, Ralston set out on a course to invigorate the membership of the Scottish Rite Freemasons.

Ralston tenure focused on several areas of concern with particular energy devoted to Supreme Council charities, Prince Hall affiliation, and declining membership of Masons. His most successful campaign dealt with the Supreme Council Charities. The charities consist of The Supreme Council Benevolent Fund, which has a focus on schizophrenia research; Supreme Council Education and Charity Fund; Abbott Scholarship Program, and Scottish Rite Masonic Museum and Library. Although Ralston worked to improve all of these areas it is his work within the Education and Charity Fund that he will be most remembered. Ralston established the 32° Masonic Learning Centers for Children, Inc. Each center focuses on tutoring children with dyslexia and providing training for adults in the Orton-Gillingham method of teaching reading. During his term, numerous centers have opened to a total of 43 centers operating in the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, with a goal of eventually creating 55 centers total. These centers have by far have been a driving force of Ralston’s term as Sovereign Grand Commander. Other noteworthy accomplishments within the Supreme Council’s charities involve the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum and Library. In his tenure, the museum has undergone several changes, the most notable, its renovation and expansion, the first since its’ opening in 1975, which includes the Ill. James F. Farr Conference Center, 33°.

In 1995, the Supreme Council approved a resolution that exchanged fraternal recognition to the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, Prince Hall Affiliation. During Ralston’s term 14 of the 15 state grand lodges within the jurisdiction extended this recognition. The resolution was a monumental step in advancing relations with the Prince Hall Affiliation.

Upon entering into the position of Grand Commander, Ralston understood a need to help boost the declining membership of Scottish Rite Masons. In that effort Ralston has made several changes. One was eliminating the need to ballot candidates for the Scottish Rite degrees. With this elimination a candidate needs only the recommendation of two Scottish Rite Masons and the validation of the Lodge secretary. He worked with the Order of DeMolay to help increase interest in becoming a Mason. With the coming millennium year of 2000, Ralston created a special millennium class in which each consistory would confer the 32nd degree on the same day, boosting moral and enthusiasm. Finally he created the passport program, in which members can maintain a record of the degrees, after viewing all degrees, the member receive a special recognition. To encourage members to complete all the degrees, the Grand Commander stressed that Valleys make it possible for members to finish within six years.

Toward the end of Ralston’s term, in an article, “Viewing Freemasonry’s Future”, Ralston said “...when we perpetuate the past without regard for our future, we are inflicting harm on ourselves and future generations. Our past is exemplary, but what have we done today? We should not ignore the past, but we cannot pass it on if we do not continue to build so that future generations can also reap the benefit of Freemasonry.” (Northern Lights, Feb, 2003, p.2)

These sentiments seem a proper characterization of Ralston’s ongoing efforts, actions and beliefs in the fraternal Freemasonry organizations.

Bibliography

Curtis, Richard H. “ Reflecting on a Decade of Progress: A review of the accomplishments of the retiring Grand Commander”. The Northern Light: A Window for Freemasonry 34:3 August 2003, p4-5, 25.

Newbury, George Adelbert and Louis Lenway Williams. A History of the Supreme Council, 33o, of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States of America. Lexington, MA: Supreme Council, A.A.S.R., N.M.J.,1987.

“Ralston Succeeds Paul: New Grand Commander Heads the Supreme Council” The Northern Light: A Window for Freemasonry 24:4 November 1993, p.4.

Ralston, Robert O. “ Viewing Freemasonry’s Future” The Northern Light: A Window for Freemasonry 34:1 Feb. 2003.

Robert Odel Ralston, 1938- Timeline

October 8, 1938 Born-son of Henry and Ethel (Williams) Ralston. March 31, 1960 Raised to Master Mason in Evanston-Eversull Lodge No. 695, F &AM, Norwood, Ohio.

1962-1968 Serves in the U.S. Marine Corp Reserve. Begins business career at Cincinnati Milacron while continuing studies. Eventually becomes Manufacturing Manager, Vice-President of Service Parts Division.

1963 Married Susann Rose Fels.

1966 Earned Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at University of Cincinnati, continues education at Xavier University to earn an Master of Business Administration (MBA).

1967 Receives Scottish Rite degrees, Valley of Cincinnati. Served as Master Mason - Evanston-Eversull Lodge No. 695, F &AM, Norwood, Ohio.

1968-1972 Trustee- Evanston-Eversull Lodge No. 695, F &AM, Norwood, Ohio.

1979-1981 Thrice Potent Master- Gibulum Lodge of Perfection,

1979- 1992 Member of Board of Trustees-Valley of Cincinnati. 1981 Earns 33rd degree, Philadelphia.

1983-1985 District deputy Grand Master – Grand Lodge of Ohio

1988-1990 President of Research Design and Development Corporation, Erie, Pennsylvania.

Member of Board of Trustees- Ohio Masonic Home.

1990 Vice-President in charge of manufacturing, Mazak Corporation, Florence, Kentucky.

1992 Elected Active Membership, Chicago, making him in line to be next Supreme Commander, succeeding Francis G. Paul.

1993 Installed as Supreme Commander, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, U.S.A. at the Fifth General Session, Boston.

1994 Commenced work on the Education and Charity Fund to establish 32nd Degree Masonic Learning Centers for Children throughout the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. The first expansion of museum since its’ opening in 1975, including building a conference center.

1995 Ratified resolution in which an exchange of recognition was established with Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, Prince Hall Affiliation.

1996 Dedication of James. F. Farr Conference Center, National Heritage Museum, Lexington, MA.

2000 Millennium Celebration Scottish Rite Millennium Class.

2003 43- 32 Degree Masonic Learning Centers for Children established in the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction.

14 States Exchange fraternal recognition with Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, Prince Hall Affilation. Retirement from Sovereign Grand Commander, 33°, Supreme Council, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction.