By Howard W. Knapp PM, PDI, PDDGM

W:. George F. "Fred" Clark, Master of Gulf Beach Lodge UD (Under Dispensation) Jan - April 1950
W:. Fred, a local Realtor, was Master of Star Lodge #78 in 1945. In 1949 Star Lodge was asked to sponsor a new Lodge on the Gulf Beaches, to be called "Gulf Beach Lodge". Star Lodge agreed and W:. Fred was asked to be the Master of Gulf Beach Lodge while 'under dispensation' from Grand Lodge as none of the other Charter members had sat as the Master of a Lodge before. From January 1950 through April 1950, W:. Fred led Gulf Beach Lodge through the many and varied details necessary to obtain a Charter. When the Charter was granted by M:.W:. Dekle ( pictured below) Br:. Carl Schaefer was installed as the first "Official" Master of our Lodge. The Charter ceremony was a dual ceremony with Sunshine Lodge #288 (now defunct) also receiving its Charter the same night. In 1952 W:. Fred took a dimit back to Star Lodge and passed away just a few short months thereafter.