March/April 2007
VOLUME 14, ISSUE 2
BEACON A JOINT PUBLICATION OF THE GRAND LODGE OF OHIO AND THE OHIO MASONIC HOME
Ohio Mason Charles E. Spahr Now 93, Made Significant Contributions Toward Solving Energy Crisis
With all the attention given to high gasoline prices, it is comforting to know that the efforts of one Ohio Mason has had perhaps the greatest impact in relieving the energy crisis in the U.S. over the past 30 years than those of any other individual in the world. Excelled at the highest ranks
He is Worshipful Brother Charles E. Spahr, of Shaker Heights, a 46-year member of Heights-Lion Heart Lodge, #633, in Lyndhurst. Worshipful Brother Spahr is one of the few individuals who have risen to the top of the corporate ladder and also excelled at the highest ranks in Freemasonry. He is a retired chairman of the board of the former Standard Oil Company of Ohio Charles Spahr (Sohio). Retired Sohio Executive It was under his leadership that the oil fields in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, were unlocked and that the Trans-Alaska pipeline was constructed.
He also served in the important role as chairman of the American Petroleum Institute during the years immediately following the 1973 oil embargo. Worshipful Brother Spahr, now 93, retired from Sohio in the late 1970s, and then served as Worshipful Master of Heights Lodge in 1982. He is a 33rd Degree Mason and served for several years as an Active Member of the Scottish Rite Supreme Council in Ohio. During the 1970s, Worshipful Brother Spahr made numerous trips to Alaska related to his company’s projects there. “Early in 1974, I visited Prudhoe Bay,” he said. “At that time, the great construction forces required for the pipeline had not been employed, but considerable men and women were working on oil field development. “One of those men was a Mason and leader of a small group of perhaps 30 Masons who were meeting from time to time. They felt that active practice of Masonry and diligent attention to its principles would be beneficial to the men at Prudhoe Bay, isolated as they were a good part of the time.” Brother Spahr encouraged the brethren to be more active
The efforts of the brethren were successful. A Prudhoe Bay Masonic Club, a Scottish Rite Society, and a Shrine club were formed. These groups raised
substantial amount of money for philanthropic purposes. Encouraged Masonic activity in Northern Alaska
In 1976, during a return visit, Brother Spahr was presented an unusual and unique sculpturing, showing the outline of the State of Alaska, supported by a piece of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline pipe. The map has brass inserts which show the route of the pipeline and various significant man-made and geographic features of the state. It was presented by the brethren there to the Standard Oil chairman to recognize his encouragement of Masonic activity in northern Alaska. A veteran of World War II, Worshipful Brother Spahr was active in many civic and professional organizations, and in his church. He initially joined Standard Oil in 1939 and was elected executive vice president in 1955, after serving as vice president and assistant to the president. In 1957, he was promoted to president, and in 1970, was advanced to chairman of the board. In 1987, he was presented the Rufus Putnam Distinguished Service Award by the Grand Lodge of Ohio, the highest recognition for service the Grand Lodge can give.