M.W. Roger W. Read Biography 1999
Roger Wellington Read
Roger Wellington Read was born in Quincy, Massachusetts, on October l, 1940, to Dr. Emerson Augustine Read and Marjorie Hutton Read. (Both now deceased.) He received his early education in the Wollaston, Massachusetts's public schools, Thayer Academy in Braintree, and Huntington School in Boston, where he received his High School diploma in 1959.
He was awarded a Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1963 from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and an Executive Masters of Business Administration from the University of Rhode Island in 1987. In addition, he has taken numerous courses in management and is a graduate of the Federal Executive Institute of Charlottesville, Virginia.
He was employed at the United States Naval Undersea Warfare Center for 31 years, where he retired as Division Head in 1989. During his career, he contributed to the development of towed sonar systems and initiated the utilization of commercial electronics in future sonar systems. He has received awards for technical and program management from the Submarine Sonar and Surface Ship Departments of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, and a Group Merit Award from the Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C.
His religious life, since 1956, has been centered in the Mystic Congregational Church where he has served as Deacon and Assistant Treasurer. On June 27, 1964, he was united in marriage to the former Barbara Ann Lundgren, also of Quincy, Massachusetts. Barbara's parents, Elizabeth and Carl Lundgren, now reside in Dennisport, Massachusetts. The Read's residence, since 1964, has been in Stonington, where they have raised three daughters; Karen Read Smethers, now living in Westborough, Massachusetts; Sheryl Read Propp, now living in East Haddam; and Joanne Read Petersen, who is now living in Holden, Massachusetts. Roger and Barbara are blessed with four Grandchildren; Steven Smethers, Sarah Propp, Claire Petersen and Mathew Propp with one more on the way.
The Read family has a Masonic history that spans four generations starting with Roger's Great Grandfather, Augustine Harlow Read, a member of Joseph Warren Lodge, (now Joseph Warren-Soley Lodge of Lincoln, Massachusetts). His Grandfather, Walter A. Read, a member of Orian Lodge No. 717, Brooklyn, New York and his Father, Emerson A. Read, who belonged to Rural Lodge, Quincy, Massachusetts. Roger followed in the tradition of his family as all belonged to most of the Appendant Bodies of the Fraternity. The tradition is continuing with the application of his son-in-law, Thierry Petersen to Rufus Putnam Lodge in Massachusetts.
Roger began his Masonic affiliation on January 16, 1956 when he received his DeMolay Degree in Old Colony Chapter, Quincy, Massachusetts. Today he also holds active membership in the DeMolay Legion of Honor. He was Raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason in Asylum Lodge No. 57, A.F. & A.M. in Stonington on June 17, 1969, serving as Worshipful Master in 1975 and is currently the Lodge Secretary. Utilizing his leadership, the Stonington Temple Corporation purchased and renovated the Grange Hall where it now meets. He is also a charter member of The DeMolay Lodge in Boston Massachusetts and an honorary member of Rural Lodge in Quincy. In 1982 and '83, he served as District Deputy for Masonic District 8B.
He joined the Grand Lodge Line in 1992 as Grand Junior Steward and was elected to the office of Grand Master in October of 1998. He served as the 153rd Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Connecticut in 1998 - 1999. During his Grand Lodge tenure he served as Chairman of the Drug and Alcohol Committee, where he achieved active contributions to the DARE programs by over 80 percent of the Connecticut Masonic Lodges. As Chairman of the Long Range Planning Committee in 1993, he developed the first Long Range Plan for Connecticut Masonry. Finding that there were very few public library books available, 1995 found him at work distributing Masonic books to 160 Libraries across the State of Connecticut. In 1996, he organized the Leadership Retreat for senior officers at Alton Jones Campus of the University of Rhode Island. His next project was to find a way to provide computers to Masonic Lodges without cost. Initiated in 1997, this effort provided computers to more than 60 Masonic Lodges and all the Connecticut Prince Hall Masonic Lodges that requested them.
He is a member of all the Bodies of Scottish Rite in the Valley of Norwich where he has served as Thrice Potent Master, Sovereign Prince and Commander in Chief. He is currently the Secretary of the Valley where he has initiated the printing and mailing capability along with the publicity and public awareness program to assist the Blue Lodges in the Eastern part of Connecticut.
He is a member of the York Rite Bodies in Mystic as well as Sphinx Temple Shrine in Newington. He rides with the Pyramid Shrine Little Wheels, earning funds for the Shrine's hospitals. He has served as President in 2002 of both the National Sojourners and the New London Masonic Club. Roger and Barbara also belong to the Order of the Eastern Star and have served as Worthy Patron and Worthy Matron of Ruth Chapter No. 44 in 1979-1980. He has served on the Board of Directors of Masonicare and is currently a member of the Masonic Charity Foundation Development Committee. Roger is presently the Secretary of the Stonington Grange No. 168 and an active volunteer at the Mystic Seaport Museum.
Among hobbies and other activities, Roger enjoys summer vacations at the family cottage at Lake Winnepesaukee, New Hampshire; owns and operates a wooden steamboat, model trains, scuba diving, and black powder riflery. Most recently the restoration of an old Model T Ford has been a prime interest.
In recognition of his life as a distinguished Master Mason, family man and community member, the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Connecticut is proud to present to Most Worshipful Brother Roger Wellington Read
THE PIERPONT EDWARDS MEDAL IN BRONZE FOR
DISTINGUISHED MASONIC SERVICE
