M.W. Walter E. Kaechele Biography 2002

Walter Edward Kaechele

Brother Walter E. Kaechele was born on March 16,1941, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the first son of John Alfred Kaechele Sr., and Marie I. (Schatz) Kaechele. He has a younger brother John Alfred Kaechele, Jr. Walter is a lifelong resident of Trumbull.

Brother Walt attended Trumbull Public Schools grades 1 through 9 and Warren Harding High School in Bridgeport for grades 10 through 12, graduating on June 12, 1959. He soon thereafter started work at the Public Utility providing water for the Bridgeport area, Bridgeport Hydraulic Company, retiring in 2002 after more than 42 years of service as Supervisor, Industrial/Commercial Accounts..

On May 27, 1961, he married Martha Helen Frost. This union was blessed with two children:

Lisa Diane Kaechele Pestey, born on February 5, 1965
and
Walter Randall Kaechele, born on July 14, 1970

Walt and Martha now have two grandchildren: Brittany Lynn Pestey, born on January 13, 1991, and Kelly Ellen Pestey, born on August 12, 1994.

Walt's early religious activity was at Grace Episcopal Church in Trumbull where he served as an Acolyte for several years. During this period he received Acolyte of the year award in 1958. He also served as youth group advisor of Young Peoples Fellowship (YPF ) in early 1960's. The Kaecheles currently are members of Christ Episcopal Church Tashua in Trumbull.

In the community, Walt was active in the 4H Club and served as Vice President Of Fairfield County Fair Association in 1958.

Brother Walter's Masonic career began when he joined Washington Lodge #19 in Monroe Connecticut, where he was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on June 29, 1981. He soon after became active in the officer line (1983 - 1990) and was elected Worshipful Master for 1989, when he and the Lodge received the Master's Achievement Award.. He was President of the Washington Lodge Past Masters' Association for 1991-1992. He is currently a member of Temple Lodge No. 65 in Westport.

His qualities came to the attention of the Grand Lodge and he was asked to serve as Right Worshipful District Deputy of Masonic District 1-C for two terms, 1992-93 and 1993-94.

Once again "cream rises" and he was appointed to the Grand Lodge progressive line as R. W. Grand Senior Steward in 1995 and progressed to be elected as Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Connecticut in 2002.

Walt currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Freemasons Foundation Committee of the Grand Lodge and is Secretary/ Treasurer of the Foundation.
He became a member of Solomon Chapter No. 3 (now Baldwin Chapter No. 13) R.A.M., Union Council No. 27 (now Jerusalem Council No. 16 R.& S.M., and Hamilton Commandery No. 5 Knights Templar in the York Rite.

As a Scottish Rite Mason he holds membership in Lafayette Consistory Valley of Bridgeport: - (Engineer & Senechal 1999); Dewitt Clinton Lodge of Perfection: (Thrice Potent Master 1996 & 1997); Washington Council Princes of Jerusalem; and Pequonnock Chapter of Rose Croix.
He was coroneted Sovereign Grand Inspector General - 33 and an Honorary Member of the Supreme Council A.A.S.R. , Northern Masonic Jurisdiction on September 28, 1999 in Atlantic City New Jersey.

He is a member of: St Andrews Conclave Red Cross of Constantine
Pyramid Temple AAONMS
Connecticut York Rite College No. 17
Mohawk Council No. 28 Knight Masons U.S.A.
Past District Deputies Association. of CT.
Royal Order of Scotland
Omar Shrine Club

Lady Martha Chapter No. 103 Order of Eastern Star, Assoc. Patron in 1990-91 & 1991-92.
Advisory Board, Monroe Assembly No. 33- Order of Rainbow for Girls in 1989-90-91.
Rainbow Grand Cross of Color in 1990

Walt has participated in Grand Master's Appeal Phon-A-Thons and served as a member of the Grand Lodge Drug and Alcohol Committee as well as other committees during his tenure as a Grand Lodge Officer. In addition, he has served Masonicare in a variety of positions, such as:

Member of Board of Directors:
Ashlar of Newtown --- 1997
Masonic Geriatric Health Care Corp -1998
Masonic Charity Foundation --1999
Masonic Charity Foundation Planned Giving Committee.
Board Member Masonicare Inc. -2000-2001-2002

In his spare time (?) Walt enjoys his hobbies of hunting, fishing, golf, gardening and, perhaps most of all, enjoying Granddaughters.

In recognition of his service to his church, the community and its youth, and to Freemasonry in the appendant bodies and at the Grand Lodge level, the Grand Lodge Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Connecticut is proud and pleased to present to Most Worshipful Brother Walter Edward Kaechele

THE PIERPONT EDWARDS MEDAL IN BRONZE
FOR DISTINGUISHED MASONIC SERVICE.