GRAND LODGE GOLD FIELITY MEDAL HOLDER WB GLENN O. RICKARD, JR. PASSES Michael D. Nicholas Sr. PGM 2020
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n August 1, 2009, a group of motorcycle riders from LaFayette DuPont Lodge #19 decided to make a visit to some Past Masters in the beautiful hills of MWB Nicholas Maryland, just north of Frederick. These Past Masters were older Masons who had not been able to attend Lodge in years. They were all incredibly happy to see us. When we stopped at the home of WB Glenn Rickard in Thurmond MD, his wife said he was not home. At age 84, WB Rickard was the oldest PM on our list, and we were sure we would find him sitting in a rocker knitting a sweater or something. No way! His wife directed us back out to US Highway 15, and we found Glenn working alongside that busy road at a submarine
sandwich fundraising-booth for his local Lions Club! We had to wait for a while to talk because he was so engaged and hustling to serve customers.
which he is holding in the picture. WB Rickard was an inspiration to us as a Brother who continued to stay involved and worked hard for causes to help others.
WB Glenn was not only happy to see us, but he treated us to some delicious subs, and then refused to take any payment. He was cheerful, smiling, and full of life. He joked that every month when he got the Lodge bulletin, he would check to see just how many slots he had moved closer to the top of the “Living Past WB Glenn O. Rickard Jr. Masters” list. At that time, he was just one PM short – a goal he had no desire to achieve.
I did not see WB Glenn again until December of 2020. Frankly, I regret not having made the time to visit with him sooner, or to have arranged a ride for him to the occasional Lodge meeting.
We presented WB Glenn with one of our newly minted Lodge Challenge Coins,
When the previous holder of our Grand Lodge Fidelity Medal passed to the celestial Lodge in mid-2020, the Grand Lodge Committee formed for the purpose of finding another worthy Brother recommended WB Glenn O. Rickard Jr. as the most qualified candidate.
MWB Villarreal leads the Brethren in the Masonic Funeral Rites.
ISSUE 2, 2021 THE VOICE OF FREEMASONRY | 3
