M.W. Samuel B. Walker Biography 1995

Samuel Benjamin Walker

Brother Samuel B. Walker was born in Portland, Maine on October 15, 1926, the son of Samuel Lenox and Alice Westhaver Walker.

Upon graduating from high school in 1944, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps Reserve and was on active duty as a Tabulating Machine Specialist from July 1944 until October 1946. While stationed at Scott Field, Illinois, he met and married Lois Kerr. This marriage was blessed with three children; Susan, a graduate of the University of New Hampshire, now living in Windham, Maine; Kathy, who attended the University of Wyoming, now living in Omaha, Nebraska; and a son David, who also attended the University of Wyoming, now residing in New Haven. His children have blessed him with five grandchildren.

Upon discharge from military service, he returned to Maine and began his career in data processing as a night shift supervisor in the Machine Accounting Department of Saco Lowell Shops, Biddeford, Maine. In 1957 Saco Lowel Shops promoted him to Department Manager and moved him, thirty-one other Master Masons, and their families to start up a new manufacturing facility in Easley, South Carolina. Seeking to advance his career opportunity he went to work for Chesebrough-Pond's, Clinton, Connecticut in 1959 as assistant manager of the Machine Accounting Department, the forerunner to today's data processing, where he worked on the installation of the company's first IBM computer, at that time only the fifth such machine to be installed in the state. In 1985 he was transferred to Chesebrough-Pond's Management Information Center, Trumbull, Connecticut where he retired in 1992 as a senior applications coordinator. Sam currently resides in Deep River, Connecticut.

Brother Walker's religious training began in the Episcopal Church in Portland, Maine. He was a member of the vestry, taught Sunday School and served as a lay reader. Licensed to work under the direct supervision of the bishop, he became the second layman in the history of the Diocese of Maine to present a class for confirmation. He continued his church work and was again appointed a lay reader and superintendent of the Sunday School while living in Easley, South Carolina. Arriving in Connecticut, he joined Grace Episcopal Church in Old Saybrook where he served on the vestry.

Music has also played an important role in Brother Walker's life. He played trombone for a short time with the Portland (Maine) Symphony Orchestra, and a big band dance band, on occasion, on the pier at Old Orchard Beach during the forties; he currently plays, when his Masonic activities permit, with two dance bands and the Old Lyme Town Band. Brother Walker was raised in Hiram Lodge No. 180, South Portland, Maine on April 3, 1956 by the Saco Lowel Shops Degree Team. While living in South Carolina he was a member of an all Maine Member Degree Team, which having dispensation from the Grand Masters of Maine and South Carolina, exemplified the Master Mason's Degree on many occasions throughout Western South Carolina using Maine ritual. His travels eventually brought him to Siloam Lodge No. 32, Old Saybrook. Retaining his membership in his home lodge he affiliated with Siloam Lodge in January 1969. He served as Worshipful Master in 1972. He was appointed Right Worshipful District Deputy of Masonic District 7B by Most Worshipful Grand Master, R. Stanley Harrison in 1975.
Brother Walker served on the Grand Lodge Committee of Masonic Youth Activities and was a member, and later chairman, of the Retention Committee. In 1986 he was appointed to the Address of the Grand Master Committee. His talents and dedication were best displayed in his leadership of the Grand Lodge Masonic Culture and Public Relations Committee, a position he served with distinction, offering good counsel and advice throughout the state. He was cited with a plaque by the members of this committee for his leadership in 1979.

In April 1981 Brother Morris I. Budkofsky, Most Worshipful Grand Master, presented Brother Walker on behalf of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Connecticut the Pierpont Edwards Medal in bronze for distinguished Masonic service.

Brother Walker is a member of Burning Bush Chapter No. 29, R.A.M., Deep River; Columbia Council No. 9, R. & S.M., Cyrene Commandery No. 8, K.T., Both of Middletown; A.A.S.R., Valley of Norwich; Sphinx Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S. of Hartford; Sphinx Temple Past Masters Club; St. Andrew's Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine; Connecticut York Rite College; Correspondence Circle, Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076, London, England; the Order of the Sword of Bunker Hill; Masonic Veterans Association of Connecticut; and a member of the Philalethes Society.

He is the representative of the Grand Lodge of South Dakota, near the Grand Lodge of Connecticut.

In 1987, upon recommendation of Most Worshipful Brother Dennis L. Elkins, Brother Walker was appointed by Most Worshipful Brother Norman L. Getchell, as Grand Junior Steward of the Grand Lodge of Connecticut.

Brother Walker has since progressed through the Line of Grand Lodge Officers and was elected to serve as Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Connecticut in the year 1995. A position he filled with distinction and honor.

After completing his term as Most Worshipful Grand Master, Brother Walker returned to his Lodge to continue his labors as an active and involved Master Mason. He presently serves Siloam Lodge No. 32, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons in Old Saybrook, Connecticut as their Lodge Secretary. Additionally, he serves as the Editor of the Seventh District Blue Lodge Council Newsletter and remains active in many other areas of the Fraternity.

It is in knowing that our Most Worshipful Past Grand Master, Brother Samuel Benjamin Walker, has devoted a lifetime of service to Masonry in general and Connecticut Masonry in particular that the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient free and Accepted Masons of the State of Connecticut is truly honored to present

THE PIERPONT EDWARDS MEDAL IN SILVER
FOR EMINENT MASONIC SERVICE