Dec 19, 2020
It is with a heavy heart that we are informing you of the passing of Terri Harris on December 19, 2020. In the past, Terri had assisted the Secretary and helped with secretarial duties for Quantico Chapter #44, Terri was the beloved wife of Frank Harris, PNP. Please keep Frank and the family in your thoughts and prayers. In an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to the SEM Fund. Please make checks payable to the SEM Fund and mail to the National Office, 7942 R Cluny Court, Springfield, VA, 22153, and in the notation line of the check include “In memory of Terri Harris”.
Sympathy cards may be sent to the following address: Col Frank W. Harris III 13009 Caton Pl Manassas, VA 20112-4629
Dec 14, 2020
It is with a heavy heart that we are informing you of the passing of Josie Arroyo on December 14, 2020. A Grande Dame, Josie was the beloved wife of Pedro A. Arroyo, PNC. Please keep Pedro and the family in your thoughts and prayers In an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to the SEM Fund. Please make checks payable to the SEM Fund and mail to the National Office, 7942 R Cluny Court, Springfield, VA, 22153, and in the notation line of the check include “In memory of Josie Arroyo”.
Sympathy cards may be sent to the following address: CW5 Pedro Arroyo 1011 California Creek Dr Oviedo, FL 32765-5615
Oct 17, 2020
23 August 1922 – 17 October 2020
Past National Historian, ROBW Emeritus Brother Richard M. Ripley passed to the Celestial Chapter above on October 17, 2020. Born August 23, 1922 in Grand Rapids, MI, he was 98 years old. COL Richard M. Ripley enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1944 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1943. He served in Europe during World War II in the 4th Armored Division. He was in Korea in 1951-1952, commanding Guerrilla Force Operation WOLFPACK. He was in the 199th Light Infantry Brigade in Vietnam in 1968-1969. He retired as a Colonel on November 1, 1973 whilst the head of JFK’s Special Warfare Center. His military awards include the DSM, SS, LM(2) BS(3), AM(8) ACOM, JSCOM and others. Following his military career, he was the Director of Staff Development for the North Carolina State Government. He was active with the US Calvary Association, Church of Good Shepherd (Episcopal), the Special Forces Association, and the North Carolina Military History Society.
Brother Ripley was raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason in March 1948. He was a member of Doric Lodge #342 in Grand Rapids, Michigan and of Garner Lodge #701 in Garner, North Carolina. He was a 33° Scottish Rite Mason, a member of the York Rite College, the Red Cross of Constantine, and the Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests. He was a Past Master of the Raleigh 500 and a Past District Deputy Grand Master of North Carolina. He is the recipient of the Order of the Purple Cross and the Commandery Medal of Merit. Brother Ripley became a Sojourner in North Carolina Chapter #97 in 1953. He was the coordinator of the ROTC Awards program for Piedmont Chapter #504 and is a multiple MIP in all North Carolina Chapters as well as others outside the state. He is a Past President of North Carolina Chapter #97 and Past Commander of Cornelius Harnett (North Carolina #97) and Guilford Courthouse (Piedmont #504) Camps, Heroes of ’76. On the National Level he served as the Regional and Area Representative of the Mid-Atlantic Area. He also served on the Americanism and Membership Committees. He was elected to the Position of National Historian at the 86th National Convention in Austin, Texas in June 2006.
In an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to the SEM Fund. Please make checks payable to the SEM Fund and mail to the National Office, 7942 R Cluny Court, Springfield, VA, 22153, and in the notation line of the check include “In memory of Richard Ripley”.
If you wish to send cards to Col. Ripley’s daughter, the address is as follows: Susan Maxwell 4404 Leota Court Raleigh, NC 27603
Sep 26, 2020
National President (1978-1979)
Brother William F. Koeckert passed to the Celestial Chapter above on September 26, 2020. Born October 12, 1925 in Cleveland, OH, he was 95 years old. MAJ William F. Koeckert, served in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1965. He served in England during the Second World War as an automatic rifleman, and commanded a tank company in Korea. After retiring, he was an Assistant and Associate Professor, a Dean of Continuing Education and an educational consultant. He was very active in his community being a member of the National Rifle Association, Ohio Rifle and Pistol Association, North Olmsted Sportsman’s Club, his United Methodist Church, the Ohio Historical Society, and many Alumni Associations.
He was raised in Euclid Lodge No. 599 in Shaker Heights, OH on January 3, 1952, and served as its Master in 1975. He also served as the Treasurer of the Master, Wardens & Deacons Assoc. of Cuyahoga County for four years, Treasurer of the Shaker Masonic Building Association for two years, and as a Trustee of Junction City – Ft. Riley Shrine Club for one year. Brother Koeckert was also a member of Associates of the Second Mile, Royal Arch Masons; Royal and Select Masters, Knights Templar; Cuyahoga County Memorial Lodge, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (NMJ); AAONMS; OES; and the Royal Order of Scotland.
He joined National Sojourners in Camp Polk Chapter #331 in Camp Polk, LA in April of 1952. He served as Chapter Secretary for Kentucky #134, Fort Riley #321, and Alaska #355, and served as President of Fort Riley #321 in 1953. He was a Regional Representative from 1966 to 1970 and a Deputy Area Representative from 1962 to 1965 and 1971 to 1974. He served on the Committee of 33 from 1967 to 1974 and on the Honors and Awards Committee for several years. He served as National President in 1978 – 1979.
Condolences may be sent to his Family at 3927 Windsor Road, Cleveland Heights, OH 44121-2072. Donations in his memory can be made to the SEM Fund. Make checks payable to SEM Fund and mail to the National Office, 7942 R Cluny Court, Springfield, VA 22153, and include the name of the person (in memory of) in the memo line of the check.
Sep 20, 2020
28 June 1933 – 20 September 2020
Past National Commander (2015-2016), Emeritus
Brother Ray Vanden Berghe passed to the Celestial Chapter above on September 24, 2020. Born June 28, 1933 in Paterson, NJ, he was 88 years old. 1st Lt Vanden Berghe served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1952 to 1956 and in the USMC Reserves from 1956 to 1960. After the military he served with the NJ State Police for 31 years before retiring. He was also active with his Church Administrative board, Boy Scouts of America, Central NJ Executive Board, Northeast Regional Executive Board, the Volunteer Fire Company as a Vice-President and Phillips Barber Memorial Hospital Trust as a Vice-President.
He joined Masonry in Orpheus Lodge No. 137 F&AM in 1962 in Stockton, NJ. He served as Mater of his Lodge in 1968 and was Secretary for several years starting from 1969. He served as Grand Master of New Jersey in 1996. He belonged to several other Masonic bodies including the Masonic Service Association where he served as Commissioner; Allied Masonic Degrees where he was a Past Sovereign; Society of St Johns, Past President; National Association of Masonic Scouters, Director; Red Cross of Constantine, Past Sovereign; Sciots, Trinity Council of the Commandery; Clinton Chapter of the York Rite, Crescent Shrine Club, President. He was also a 33° member of the Scottish Rite (NMJ); the Masonic Charity Foundation of NJ as President and Board Chairman in 1989, and was active with DeMolay for boys and the International Order of the Rainbow for girls.
He joined National Sojourners in Grand Masters Chapter #996 on 28 June 2005 and was a member of 10 other Chapters. He served as President of Northern New Jersey Chapter #42 in 2009-2010 and Grand Masters Chapter #996 from 2012-2013. He served as Commander of Gen. Hugh Mercer Camp in 2011. On the National Level he served on the Committee of 33, Fraternal Liaison Committee; Chapter Chartering and Revitalization Committee; and Americanism Committee. He served as National Commander of the Heroes of ’76 from 2015-2016 and was eventually elected to Emeritus status.
Condolences can be sent to his Family at 6645 Summer Grape Court, Springfield, VA 22152-2512. Donations in his memory can be made to the SEM Fund, 7942 R Cluny Court, Springfield, VA 22153.
Sep 11, 2020
30 January 1937 – 11 September 2020
Past National President, Legion of Honor, Emeritus
Brother Joe Ryland passed to the Celestial Chapter above on September 11, 2020. Born January 30, 1937 in Selma, AL, he was 83 years old. LTC Ryland served in the US Army from 1960 to 1988. He was commissioned in 1960 through the Armored School, 2nd Armored Cav, 5th Infantry Div. in Vietnam.
He joined Masonry in Fountain Lodge No. 191 in 1965 and was Master of Rosemead Lodge No. 457 in 2000. He served as Grand Junior Deacon in the Grand Lodge of California in 2009 to 2010. He joined the Scottish Rite in 1968 and then received the Royal Order of Scotland Degree in 1999 and his 33rd degree in 2005. He joined the York Rite in 1988, joined the Inland Empire Conclave Order of the Red Cross of Constantine in 2002, served as Most Illustrious Grand Master of Cryptic Masons of California in 2007. He was also a member of several other Masonic Organizations.
Brother Joe joined National Sojourners in Ft. Riley Chapter #321 on March 11, 1970 and became a Hero in Rimrock Camp on September 12, 1970. He served as chapter secretary for Ft. Riley Chapter #321 from 1971 to 1973 and was the Chapter Secretary for Pasadena Chapter #265 in 2004 to 2018 and was also the Adjutant to both camps. He received the National Secretary of the year award in 1973 and 2001 (the only Sojourner to receive it twice). He served as Chairman on the National Membership Committee from 1973 to 1976 and was a member of the Committee from 1991 to 1996. He was a member of the National Americanism Committee from 1981 to 1983 and the Chairman of the National Education & Training Committee from 1993 to 1996. He was selected as a charter member of the Order of Barrow Wheelers in 1974 and served as its Chairman for several years. He was elected to NASOCOCO from 1993 to 1996, the Committee of 33 from 1994 to 1996, the National Trustees from 2003 to 2010 and Honor Awards Committee. Brother Joe served as National President from 1999 to 2000. He was elected to receive the Legion of Honor in 2013. He continued to be active on both the Chapter and National level until he was no longer able to do so. Donations in his memory can be made to the SEM Fund, 7942 R Cluny Court, Springfield, VA 22153.
You may send cards and letters to the Ryland family: The Ryland Family 2956 E. Del Mar Blvd, Apt. 228 Pasadena, CA 91107-4385
