M.W. Conrad Hahn 1957

Conrad Hahn

Our Second Vice-President, a distinguished Fellow, and a member of the Philalethes Society since 1961, died peacefully in his sleep at his Bethesda, Maryland home on December 15, 1977. His death occurred only two days following his seventy-first birthday, as he was about to retire from the Masonic Service Association, after twenty years as Editor and Executive Secretary.

Grandson of a medical missionary to the lepers in India, son of a medical missionary and teacher in Mexico, Connie and a twin brother were born at Fuerta in the state of Sinaloa. His early education was in the public schools of New Orleans and New York city, followed by graduation from Central High School in Scranton, Penn. He graduated from Yale in 1928 with a Phi Beta Kappa key, and earned highest honors in English with an M.A. degree from Columbia University. He starred in swimming, track and lacrosse. He began his career as an educator at Suffield (Conn.) Academy as teacher of Latin, German and English, where he also coached athletics. He had been Headmaster for 11 years when he left to take over similar duties at the Unquowa School in Fairfield, Conn.

Appointed Editor of the Masonic Service Association in 1958, a few years later he became Executive Secretary and so continued until his death. In that capacity his activity confirmed and strengthened the value of what he had labeled that "great charitable and educational arm of Freemasonry in the United States". His duties took him into all the Grand Lodges of the nation and he was probably the best known Mason of this generation in the country. He was occasionally accompanied by his wife, the former Margaret Helen Ritz, a high school class-mate at Scranton. She was "his most ardent supporter in days of success and his unfailing strength in times of trouble".

Reared by parents and with grandparents who were practicing Christians, Connie never wavered from public manifestations of a firm ecumenical faith. At Suffield he attended the Baptist church, in Fairfield the Congregational, and in Bethesda the Presbyterian. His record in patriotic endeavors and civic affairs is equally complimentary.

As Grand Master, when memorializing departed Brethren, he exhorted the Craft to ponder the approaching and inevitable "days of darkness", adding "to our limited human understanding the death of those Brothers appears to be an inconsolable loss. But as the Sprig of Acacia reminds us of our hope in that better part of man which can never, never die, let our mourning put on gladness, for we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens". Today we can echo those words, and those in poetic conclusion, and apply them to Connie Hahn.

'Tis hard to take the burden up

When these have laid it down.

They brightened all the joys of life;

They softened every frown.

But, oh, 'tis good to think of them

When we are troubled sore.

Thanks be to God that such have been,

Though they are here no more."

In Freemasonry he was made a Mason in Apollo Lodge (59) at Suffield in 1939, was elected Master in 1944, served two years as District Deputy and advanced through the Grand Lodge chairs to that of Grand Master in 1957.

While at Fairfield, he became a member of Jerusalem Chapter (13) RAM, Jerusalem Council (16) R&SM, Hamilton Commandery (5)KT, and Obeh Grotto, all of Bridgeport. He belonged to Sphinx Temple AAONMS in Hartford.

In the Scottish Rite Brother Hahn belonged to the several bodies in the Valley of Bridgeport, and Lafayette Consistory. In 1962 he was admitted to the Supreme Council NMJ as a 33 degree Honorary Member.

His many other memberships, connections, honors and awards are listed separately as they have come to light at the present.

The Pierpont Edwards Medal in Silver for Eminent Masonic Service is the highest award bestowed by the Grand Lodge of Connecticut. The citation which accompanied the presentation to Brother Hahn in 1960 read, in part, as follows, its luster undiminished with the passage of time.

"How is it possible to more than outline the reasons for honoring this Brother? How can words describe the unseen facets of a great heart dedicated to the love of mankind? And what picture can show the workings of a keen mind whose intellect is directed towards benevolence and service in the cause of humanity?

This Brother whose accomplishments we recognize, embodies a philosophy which is a remarkable blend of the simple and the complex; simple as a child in his attitude toward morality and the truth; complex as the wisdom of the ages in his knowledge and application of every commendable virtue.

"Tall and erect, combining dignity, humor and compassion in his every act, he meets the problems of life with a firm but gentle hand. He is dedicated to home, to family, and to his fellowmen. A man of letters - he is also a man of God. His words have served to inspire Masons and non-Masons alike throughout our vast country.

"Conrad Hahn is a living example of a moral and upright being; a willing servant where service is needed - a brilliant leader when called upon to lead. He exemplifies the principles of Freemasonry by precept and example. It was not for us to teach him the tenets of the fraternity at our Altars, since the high ideals which Masonry teaches are inherent in his nature.

"The contributions of this man cannot be weighed or counted but his good deeds, like his friends, are as the sands of the sea. Man cannot create for him any distinction save public recognition, for his mantle of greatness was patterned by God, fitted by loving parents, hemmed by his Masonic vows, and woven of the moral fiber which is the very core of his being."