June 1999

In Memoriam Louis M. Spears April 30, 1999 Brother Charles L. ``Buck`` Hill, P.M. May 7, 1999

  Brethren,

Austin 12 suffered a great loss on May 7, 1999, with the passing of Brother Charles L. "Buck" Hill, after a long battle with cancer. Brother Buck was Worshipful Master of Austin 12 in 1979-1980. After his year ended, he was a very active Past Master. He wrote The History of Austin Lodge 12, a several-hundred-page book about our lodge. He served as the Lodge Historian: just a few short months ago, in January 1999, he spoke to the lodge about Brother Edward Burleson, the second WM of Austin 12 and a Vice-President of the Republic of Texas.

Until his health would no longer permit it, Brother Buck was very active in our degree work. I think I can safely say that, over the last several years, Brother Buck had something to do with every single brother who went through the degrees, either by serving as part of his degree team, or by instructing him in the questions and answers. As his health worsened and he could no longer attend lodge on a regular basis, he invited the candidates to come to his home to be instructed. Two months ago he received his Class A certificate from District Deputy Grand Master Andrew McVeigh.

Austin 12 has made a contribution to the American Cancer Society and to Christopher House, where Buck spent his last days, in his name. I hope you will keep Brother Buck and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Brother Steve Rye, from Colorado Lodge 96, will be our guest speaker at the June stated meeting. Brother Rye will speak about Grand Master Mike Gower's program to get Masons involved in helping the youngsters of Texas to learn to read.

During the stated meeting, the brethren will elect the lodge officers for Masonic year 1999-2000. The installation of those officers will be held on Tuesday night, June 29, at 7 P.M. Harry Cunningham, Past Grand Master of Masons in Texas, will serve as the installing officer. Mason and non-Mason alike are invited to attend this ceremony.

Brother Ross Cox, Junior Warden of San Saba Lodge, was our guest speaker at the May stated meeting. Brother Cox is the first recipient of the Texas Lodge of Research (TLR) Ziller Award, which is funded by Lodge 12's Ziller Fund, and presented by the TLR in recognition of an outstanding first paper about Masonry. Brother Cox, who is a DPS officer, received the award for his paper on the history of the San Saba lodge. His presentation to our lodge was both entertaining and interesting, and we wish him well in his future Masonic research.

The Lodge of Research will meet in Austin on June 19. Saturday morning will begin with a free tour of the French Legation, State Cemetery, and the Elizabeth Ney Museum. Participants board air-conditioned `Dillo' buses departing from the Raddison Hotel at 9:30 a.m. The State Cemetery tour will be led by Judge Jack Hightower, who has been closely associated with the cemetery restoration.

All Master Masons are invited to the Lodge of Research business meeting at 4 p.m. A social hour follows with an elegant dinner being served prior to the presentation of the Anson Jones Lecture, which will be presented by Brother Hightower. Reservations are essential for all of the activities (except the lodge meeting) and may be made by calling the Scottish Rite business office. Mastercard and Visa are accepted.

Thank you for supporting our lodge!

Sincerely and Fraternally,

Bob Dashman

Worshipful Master