My Life-Long Journey Spent Choosing the Future

Brother Smith was appointed as the District Deputy Grand Master of the 6th Southern Masonic District in 2016 and served until he was appointed as Junior Grand Deacon of the Grand Lodge of Illinois in 2017.

Brother Smith is an active member and leader in many of the Appendant Masonic Bodies. He is a 32nd Degree (MSA) in the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of Southern Illinois where he served as Sovereign Prince of the Cahokia Council of Princes of Jerusalem and is a past member of the Valley’s Board of Directors. Brother Smith has also shared his leadership talents with the York Rite Bodies; he has the distinction of having served in each of the three bodies as the Excellent High Priest of Belleville Chapter #109 of Royal Arch Masons, Thrice Illustrious Master of Council #67 of Cryptic Masons and Eminent Commander of Tancred Commandery of Knights Templar. In 2015 Brother Smith was elected as Grand Junior Warden of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar and served as the Right Eminent Grand Commander in 2020-2021.

Brother Smith is an active member of the Knights of the York Cross of Honor (KYCH); The Royal Order Masonic Knights of the Scarlet Cord of the USA; Southern Illinois York Rite College #33; The Philalethes Society; Shamrock Council 43 of the Knight Masons of the USA; Pathos Tabernacle No. 58 of the Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priest; Grand College of Rites of the USA; Potomac Court No. 107 of the Royal Order of Athelstan, Province of USA; Legion of Honor of Ainad Temple of Shriners International; Cahokia Council No. 225 of the Allied Masonic Degrees of U.S.A.; St. Edward Conclave of the Red Cross of Constantine and the Royal Order of Scotland.

Brother Smith enjoyed a long and distinguished career in the United States Air Force spanning 34 years. Enlisting as an Airman Basic in 1973, he quickly advanced to the rank of Staff Sergeant. After six years of enlisted service, during which time he completed his undergraduate degree, he was selected for Officer

Training School where he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in November 1979 and subsequently remained at that institution for two years as an instructor. During the next three decades, Brother Smith held a wide variety of roles and positions which afforded him exceptional professional growth and leadership experiences. He held command positions at the squadron, group, and wing levels. He also served in several overseas assignments including Honduras, South Korea, Germany, and Portugal; in particular, he served in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait during the Gulf War. Along his military journey, Brother Smith won numerous awards and decorations including the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters; Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters; Joint Service Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster; Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters; and the Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters. In recognition of Brother Smith’s extensive skills, knowledge, and leadership talent, he was promoted to the rank of Colonel in February 2001. He served at that rank until retiring from active duty on 31 December 2006.

Brother Smith excelled through several academic and educational institutions including earning a Bachelor of Science degree (1978) from Troy University in Troy, Alabama, and a Master of Arts degree (1983) from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri. He successfully completed numerous senior military colleges and universities including Marine Command and Staff College (1982); Air Command and Staff College (1988); Air War College (1996); Combined Warfare School, Armed Forces Staff College (1996); and the College of Strategic Studies and Defense Economics, George

C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies (1996) in Garmisch, Germany; following graduation from the Marshall Center Brother Smith remained on staff for three years as the Dean of Academics and then as Executive to the Director.

Brother Smith and his wife Cathy have spent more than 49 years building a loving family; they have one daughter and one granddaughter who is currently a student at the University of Alabama. In his limited leisure time, he enjoys golf, collecting rare writing instruments and Masonic antiques. As an avid researcher, Brother Smith enjoys searching for “lost knowledge” related to the history of Freemasonry in Illinois and around the world.

During a recess of the 2021 Annual Communications, I spoke with RWB Smith and asked why he became a Mason. He replied that “growing up in a small town, there were only two buildings of any size, one being the Masonic Lodge. I gave it no notice at the time, even asked my Grandparents about Masonry and received no satisfactory answer. In later years while playing golf with a close friend, the subject of Masonry was brought up and I asked a few questions about this group called Masons. Finally, at the age of sixty-one, I became a member of the Fraternity. My journey has been most rewarding in that it provided me a great chance to be a better man. I see a very bright future for Masonry in Illinois. I believe that those between 18 and 25 years of age are looking for something meaningful in their lives. I have found that Masonry is that something, I really appreciate the confidence of the Brothers for my election.”

R.W.B. Edward Walker, Editor