Please introduce yourself.
My name is George O. Braatz, and for most of my life I have lived in the Grand Rapids, Ohio area. I am currently residing in Waterville, Ohio, at the Browning Masonic Home, a part of the Ohio Masonic Home. I have been a Mason in Ohio for 56 years in Grand Rapids Lodge #289. My Lodge, in the past few weeks, has merged with Rubicon Lodge, which now meets at the Browning Home. I was the Grand Master of Ohio Masons from October 1987 to October of 1988.
How did you find Freemasonry?
My immediate interest came from my mother who joined the Grand Rapids Eastern Star Chapter as her father had been a Mason. She became very active, causing my father to join our local Lodge. Shortly after I turned 21, I joined as well.
What initially kept you coming back to Lodge?
I thoroughly enjoyed the brotherhood and ritual, and became very active myself. By watching the character of the brothers around me, I was able to become close friends with local men of all ages.
Other than serving as Grand Master, what is something you’re proud of in your Masonic journey?
No matter what I might accomplish, I found there were always new and different ways of participating in the Craft. Early on, I became a member of the York and Scottish Rites, participating as an officer and ritualist, which ultimately allowed me to become a Knight of the York Grand Cross of Honor and a 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason. Then, I was asked to move to Worthington, Ohio and work for the Grand Lodge of Ohio as Program Director, and about 10 months later, I was elected Grand Secretary, where I served for 9 years. A short time after I retired, I was elected as Executive Secretary of the Masonic Service Association (MSA) of North America, which required a move to Maryland. After 5 years, I retired from that position, but still wrote and edited the monthly Short Talk Bulletins for a few more years.
At MSA, I received publications from all the U.S. states and read them, always looking for articles that could be reproduced to a national audience. I also had a few good writers, who could be asked to do a particular assignment, and when none of the above was available, I would have to write myself. I was a college journalism graduate, had a 10-year newspaper reporting background, and a 22-year background in business public relations, so this task was relatively easy and very enjoyable for me. MSA also printed numerous brochures and individual booklets, which would be sold to Masons anywhere in the jurisdictions.
Is there someone you’ve met that inspired you to be a better man and Mason? Tell us about them.
Probably, just 3 names highlight the list of those who inspired me. One was the late Lawrence Studer, who was Secretary of Grand Rapids Lodge in my early years in the craft, and who guided me down numerous early pathways.
Then, Robert N. Bachman, my brother-in-law, was Secretary of Grand Rapids Lodge until about a year ago, providing strength and guidance during a time of declining activity in the Lodge and also, throughout the years, whispering good counsel in my ear.
Finally, my father, Orland Braatz, who rode thousands and thousands of miles with me, all over Ohio for meetings. I would never do anything to harm the pride he had in me.
Is there anything else about your time as Grand Master you would like to share?
During my term as Grand Master in 1988, we passed a unique membership level. While I didn’t create those totals, it was a wonderful time to be active in the Grand Lodge of Ohio.