...and ah! bless’d spirit, wheresoe’er thy flight, through rolling worlds, or fields of liquid light, may cherubs welcome their expected guest; may saints with songs receive thee to their rest; may peace that claimed while here thy warmest love, may blissful endless peace be thine above!
– from “Threnodia Augustalis” by Bro. Oliver Goldsmith, ~1730-1774
In Memoriam
An Alarm at the Gates of Heaven is met by an exclamation from within, “who comes here?” The guard without the gate replies, “A man under the tongue of good report, and coming well recommended.”
Brother Walter Modern Stewart
1948-2012
Brother Walt Stewart was born on March 20, 1948, in Los Angeles, California and grew up in that area.
Brother Walt resided and worked as an artist in Southern California.
Initiated an Entered Apprentice on December 12, 1978, he was Passed to the degree of Fellow Craft on March 27, 1979, and Raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason on May 22, 1979 in Arcadia Lodge #278, Arcadia, California. While in California, Brother Walt was a ministerial student of, and personal assistant to, Illustrious Brother Manly P. Hall.
He received The Scottish Rite Degrees in Pasadena California, was a member of the Royal Arch Chapter, Cryptic Council, Knights Templar and a Frater of the Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis (SRICF).
Brother Walt honored Enlightenment Lodge #198 by becoming a dual member on April 12, 2008. He likewise affiliated with East Denver Lodge #160 on November 11, 2009. He was made an Honorary Member of Esoterika Lodge #316 in Seattle, Washington in December 2010.
On November 21, 2012, Bro. Walt Stewart took a breath, waited for a word, and moved on to a Higher Degree.
"And the Guard at the Gates of Heaven finished the report. And the God of Abraham and the God of his Fathers said unto him who waited without, “Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter ye into the joy of thy Lord.”
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Dana, daughter Jennifer Kant, and six grandchildren.
Brother Todd Ray Melcher
1948-2013
Brother Todd was born on August 28, 1948.
Brother Todd resided and worked in the Colorado Springs area as a Defense Contractor.
Initiated an Entered Apprentice on February 23, 1972, he was Passed to the degree of Fellow Craft on April 5, 1972, and Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on June 29, 1972 in Northern Light Lodge #41 in Stanton, Nebraska.
He was a member of the Southern Consistory of the Scottish Rite.
Brother Todd was Mason for more than 41 years.
He petitioned for and was granted Dual Membership in El Paso Lodge #13 on January 10, 2006. Brother Todd honored Enlightenment Lodge #198 by becoming a Charter Member on January 26, 2008.
On December 27, 2013, Bro. Todd Melcher took a breath, waited for a word, and moved on to a Higher Degree.
"And the Guard at the Gates of Heaven finished the report. And the God of Abraham and the God of his Fathers said unto him who waited without, “Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter ye into the joy of thy Lord.”
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Roxanne, daughters Andrea Melcher, Heidi Conrad (Paul), and one granddaughter.
He is gone, but the memory of his work is safely deposited in the repository of faithful breasts of all Freemasons who have known him.
Worshipful Brother W. Michael Bricker
1970-2014
Worshipful Brother William Michael “Mike” Bricker was born on August 13, 1970 and grew up in Georgia. After his service in the US Army, Brother Mike resided and worked in the Colorado Springs area where he owned and operated Craftsman Roofing.
Initiated an Entered Apprentice on January 26, 2006, he was Passed to the degree of Fellow Craft on April 1st, 2006, and Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on June 10, 2006 in Fountain Valley Lodge #191 AF&AM in Fountain, Colorado.
Brother Mike was the sitting Secretary of Fountain Valley Lodge #191, Junior Deacon of Enlightenment Lodge #198, Second Vice President of the El Paso County Actual Past Masters Association, and Past Associate Bethel Guardian of Bethel #31. He served Fountain Valley Lodge #191 as Worshipful Master in 2013. He was a member of Memorial Lodge #2, the Southern Consistory of the Scottish Rite, and the Order of the Eastern Star. Worshipful Brother Mike was currently serving the Grand Lodge of Colorado as a member of the Youth Committee and as a District Lecturer.
Brother Mike honored Enlightenment Lodge #198 by affiliating on November 9, 2011.
Brother Mike was Mason for nearly 9 years.
On March 20, 2014, Worshipful Brother William Michael “Mike” Bricker took a breath, waited for a word, and moved on to a Higher Degree.
"And the Guard at the Gates of Heaven finished the report. And the God of Abraham and the God of his Fathers said unto him who waited without, “Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter ye into the joy of thy Lord.”
He is survived by his wife Christal, daughter Catilin, son Kyle, and foster daughter Giavanna.
He is gone, but the memory of his work is safely deposited in the repository of faithful breasts of all Freemasons who have known him.
Worshipful Brother Alan C. Frost
1933-2014
Worshipful Brother Alan Frost was born on March 9, 1933.
Brother Alan resided and worked in the Colorado Springs area after he retired from the US Air Force. He worked here as an Engineering Manager.
Initiated an Entered Apprentice on February 24, 1992, he was Passed to the degree of Fellow Craft on April 27, 1992, and Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on June 8, 1992 in Tejon Lodge #104 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
He was a member of Memorial Lodge #2, the Southern Consistory of the Scottish Rite, the York Rite Bodies and Al Kaly Shrine. Brother Alan served the Grand Lodge of Colorado on the Custodians of the Work Committee from 1995 up until his passing and as Grand Orator in 2008 and was designated “Mason of the Year” by the Grand Lodge in 2012.
Brother Alan honored Enlightenment Lodge #198 by becoming a Charter Member on January 26, 2008.
Brother Alan was a Mason for more than 22 years.
On October 5, 2014, Worshipful Brother Alan C. Frost took a breath, waited for a word, and moved on to a Higher Degree.
He is survived by his wife Nancy, daughter Debora Price, and son Greg.
"And the Guard at the Gates of Heaven finished the report. And the God of Abraham and the God of his Fathers said unto him who waited without, “Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter ye into the joy of thy Lord.”
He is gone, but the memory of his work is safely deposited in the repository of faithful breasts of all Freemasons who have known him.
Worshipful Brother Reimar Von Kalben
1931-2016
Worshipful Brother Reimar Von Kalben was born on February 26, 1931 in Vienau, Germany and raised in Stendahl, Germany. Brother Reimar immigrated to Canada in 1956 then to Pueblo in 1959 where he resided and worked until his retirement. He founded, owned, and operated Allied Refrigeration.
Initiated an Entered Apprentice on November 16, 1961, he was Passed to the degree of Fellow Craft on January 18, 1962, and Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on April 7, 1962 in Silver State Lodge #95 AF&AM in Pueblo, Colorado.
Brother Reimar served Silver State #95 as Worshipful Master in 2008. He received his Fifty Year award in 2012, which was presented to him by his son-in-law, Karl Hinkle, who was Grand Master of Masons in Colorado that year.
Brother Reimar was a Charter Member of Enlightenment Lodge #198 in 2008. He was a Mason for nearly Fifty Four years.
On March 21, 2016, Worshipful Brother Reimar von Kalben took a breath, waited for a word, and moved on to a Higher Degree.
He is survived by his wife Dagmar, son Stephan, daughter Gytha Hinkle, sisters Helga Hou & Dagmar Borkowitz, and five grandchildren.
He is gone, but the memory of his work is safely deposited in the repository of faithful breasts of all Freemasons who have known him.
"And the Guard at the Gates of Heaven finished the report. And the God of Abraham and the God of his Fathers said unto him who waited without, “Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter ye into the joy of thy Lord.”
Brother Reimar von Kalben will be long remembered by the members of the Masonic community but no more so than by his brothers in Enlightenment Lodge #198 who held him in the absolute highest esteem.
Worshipful Brother James A. Stivers
1934-2016
Born on April 8, 1934 in Colorado Springs, WB James A. Stivers had a 42 year career with Mountain Bell. Initiated an Entered Apprentice on August 17, 1956, he was Passed to the degree of Fellow Craft on September 21, 1956, and Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on October 5, 1956 in El Paso Lodge #13 AF&AM in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Brother Jim was active in the Shrine, the York Rite, and the Scottish Rite. He was awarded the 33rd degree in Scottish Rite, was a founding member of the Potentates’ Motor Escort, was awarded the title of “Santa Claus Emeritus”, and was Excellent High Priest in Colorado Springs Royal Arch Chapter #6. He was Treasurer of the El Paso County Past Masters Assn. for many years. Brother Jim served El Paso Lodge #13 as Worshipful Master in 1964. He received his Fifty Year award in 2006.
Worshipful Brother James was a Charter Member of Enlightenment Lodge #198 in 2008. He served our Lodge as Chaplain from 2010 to 2014. He was a Mason for nearly Sixty years.
On July 2, 2016, Worshipful Brother James Alfred Stivers took a breath, waited for a word, and moved on to a Higher Degree.
He is survived by his wife Cindy, Sons Roger & Jack, daughter Suzette Keating, and five grandchildren. He is gone, but the memory of his work is safely deposited in the repository of faithful breasts of all Freemasons who have known him.
"And the Guard at the Gates of Heaven finished the report. And the God of Abraham and the God of his Fathers said unto him who waited without, “Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter ye into the joy of thy Lord.”
Brother Jim Stivers will be long remembered by the members of the Masonic community but no more so than by his brothers in Enlightenment Lodge #198 who held him in the absolute highest esteem.
Brother Randal Mel Kirk
1951-2016
Born on January 29, 1951 in New Jersey, he was an attorney and an entrepreneur. He graduated from Dartmouth College, with a Bachelor of Arts., magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, in 1973 and from the University of Texas, School of Law, with a Juris Doctorate in 1976 where he served as the Articles Editor for the International Law Journal.
Initiated an Entered Apprentice on January 7, 2012, he was Passed to the degree of Fellow Craft on March 16, 2013, and Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on June 29, 2013 in East Denver Lodge #160 in Denver, Colorado. Brother Randal was active in both the Scottish Rite and York Rite. Brother Randal honored Enlightenment Lodge #198 by affiliating as a member on November 3, 2013. He actively served Enlightenment Lodge as both Tyler and Steward. He was a Mason for nearly Five years.
On November 7, 2016, Randal Mel Kirk took a breath, waited for a word, and moved on to a Higher Degree. He is survived by his wife Donna, Son Randal Kirk II, and cousins Brother Michael Morrow and Stephen Morrow. He is gone, but the memory of his work is safely deposited in the repository of faithful breasts of all Freemasons who have known him.
"And the Guard at the Gates of Heaven finished the report. And the God of Abraham and the God of his Fathers said unto him who waited without, “Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter ye into the joy of thy Lord.”
Brother Randal Kirk will be long remembered by the members of the Masonic community but no more so than by his brothers in Enlightenment Lodge #198 who held him in the absolute highest esteem.
Brother Timothy James Broderick
1974-2018
Born on July 2nd 1974, he was a native of Winstead, Connecticut. Brother Tim resided and worked in the Colorado Springs area as an Information Technology Systems Analyst at Progressive.
Brother Tim was initiated an Entered Apprentice March 21st 2010, Passed to the Degree of a Fellowcraft on May 1st, 2010 and Raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason on May 24th, 2010 in Village Lodge #29 AF & AM in Collinsville, CT. Brother Tim was also a 32° in the Scottish Rite, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction.
Brother Tim honored Enlightenment Lodge #198 by affiliating on November 13th, 2013. He was a Mason for 8 years.
On October 19, 2018, Brother Timothy Broderick took a breath, waited for a word, and moved on to a Higher Degree. He is survived by his wife Eileen Tierney Broderick and his son Finn.
"And the Guard at the Gates of Heaven finished the report. And the God of Abraham and the God of his Fathers said unto him who waited without, “Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter ye into the joy of thy Lord.”
Brother Timothy Broderick will be long remembered by the members of the Masonic community but no more so than by his brothers in Enlightenment Lodge #198 who held him in the absolute highest esteem.
Worshipful Brother Robert G. Starr
1963-2020
Robert Gregory Starr, was born on Friday, October 11th, 1963, to Phillip Byron and Carol Jean (Hinrichs) Starr. WB Greg Star graduated from Springfield High School, Springfield, IL, and in August of that same year he entered the U.S. Army where he served as a linguist until being Honorably Discharged in 1993 at the rank of Staff Sergeant.
WB Greg began his Masonic journey in 1986, when he was Initiated, Passed, and Raised in Pleasant Plains Lodge #700, Pleasant Plains, IL.
In Colorado, WB Greg was a member and officer of five Blue Lodges: Douglas 153, East Denver 160, Enlightenment 198, and Schiller ~ Pythagoras 41. WB Greg was the Worshipful Master of Schiller Lodge in 2012, and served as the Secretary for Douglas, East Denver, and Pythagoras lodges, and Treasurer of Enlightenment Lodge in 2016. WB Greg was also an active member in many associated Masonic organizations, serving in officer roles in the Denver Scottish Rite, York Right, Shrine, Eastern Star, SRICF, and Allied Masonic Degrees where he served as Sovereign Master in 2013. He also held memberships in the Scottish Rite Research Society, Philalethes Society, Grand College of Rites, Colorado Grand Lodge Speakers Bureau, and the Denver Consistory (Scottish Rite) Speakers Bureau.
On October 30th, 2020 Worshipful Brother Greg Starr took a breath, waited for a word, and moved on to a Higher Degree. He is survived by his mother, Carol Edwards; step-father, Alvin Edwards; brothers Kirby Ryan Gram and Tim Starr; sister Kim Moser; and several nieces and nephews.
"And the Guard at the Gates of Heaven finished the report. And the God of Abraham and the God of his Fathers said unto him who waited without, “Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter ye into the joy of thy Lord.”
Worshipful Brother Greg Starr will be long remembered by the members of the Masonic community but no more so than by his brothers in Enlightenment Lodge #198 who held him in the absolute highest esteem.
Most Worshipful Brother David L. Coberly
1956-2023
Most Worshipful Brother David L. Coberly was born July 10, 1956 in Cortez, Colorado. After graduating from High School in Rocky Ford, he attended and graduated from Adams State College in Alamosa with a bachelor's degree in Chemistry. During his time in college he became interested in working with computers and computer programming and took a programming job in Pueblo, where he became acquainted with the Pueblo Masons through his involvement with DeMolay - an organization he had been involved with since early High School.
In 1977 MWB David Coberly was Initiated, Passed, and Raised in Silver State Lodge #95 in Pueblo, Colorado, where he served as Worshipful Master in 1984. He married his wife Jean in 1987 and that same year took a position teaching Computer Sciense at Otero Junior College in La Junta Colorado. He and his wife lived in La Junta for almost 30 years. They have a son, a daughter, and three grandchildren. While in La Junta, he earned a Master's degree in Systems Engineering from University of Southern Colorado.
MWB David was a District Lecturer of several Lodges in the Lower Arkansas Valley for more than 15 years. In 2009, he served as Grand Chaplain for the Grand Lodge of Colorado. He retired from teaching in 2013, shortly after starting his time in the progressive Grand Lodge line, being appointed as the Grand Marshal of the Grand Lodge. He is a member of many Masonic groups including Scottish Rite and York Rite. Most Worshipful Brother David Coberly served as the Most Excellent Grand High Priest of Cryptic Masons in Colorado from 2017-2018, and the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons for Colorado in 2020.
Most Worshipful Brother David honored Enlightenment Lodge #198 by becoming a Charter Member on January 26, 2008.
Most Worshipful Brother David was a Mason for more than 50 years.
On July 29, 2023, Most Worshipful Brother David Coberly took a breath, waited for a word, and moved on to a Higher Degree.
He is survived by his wife Jean.
"And the Guard at the Gates of Heaven finished the report. And the God of Abraham and the God of his Fathers said unto him who waited without, "Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter ye into the joy of thy Lord."
He is gone, but the memory of his work is safely deposited in the repository of faithful breasts of all Freemasons who have known him.
Most Worshipful Brother Phillip E. Moss
1946-2023
Most Worshipful Brother Phillip E. Moss was born on September 14, 1946, in St. Louis, Missouri. Following his high school graduation, he promptly joined the Navy during the height of the Vietnam War. During his extensive naval career, MWB Phil volunteered for submarine duty and served on various platforms, including diesel boats, nuclear-powered fast attacks, and ballistic missile submarines. In addition to his operational roles, he taught advanced electronics, served as the communications officer for an Admiral's staff, and oversaw the construction of a ballistic missile submarine.
During his tenure in submarine construction, MWB Phil was accepted into the Warrant Officer Program as a Submarine Communications Specialist; only one of fourteen in the entire US Navy. In his final tour of duty, he served as a project officer for the Naval Research Laboratory, retiring with the rank of CWO-3 in 1985. Following his naval retirement, MWB Phil pursued a career with three different companies, specializing in satellite communications, engineering, and security.
MWB Phil's journey in Freemasonry is as unique as his naval career. He often joked that his interest in becoming a Mason was to put on makeup. More than anything, MWB Phil wanted to become a Shriner Clown. On August 29, 2002, he was initiated as an Entered Apprentice at Centurion Lodge #195. Not long after, on October 5, 2002, he traveled to Denver, Colorado, for a one-day Raising ceremony.
After attaining the Master Mason degree, MWB Phil achieved his dream of joining the Al Kaly Shrine and being part of their Clown troupe. He was chosen as the first Chairman of the Al Kaly Hospital Representative and, along with his wife Vickie, served as Chief Aide to the Potentate for two years. In addition to these roles, MWB Phil participated in the Board of Governors for three years as an Associate and was later elected as a voting member. He also contributed to the Time and Place Committee and the Nominating Committee for the Conference of Grand Masters of North America.
Most Worshipful Brother Phillip E. Moss served as the Grand Master of Masons for Colorado in 2018.
Most Worshipful Brother Phil Moss honored Enlightenment Lodge #198 by becoming a Charter Member on January 26, 2008.
On October 2, 2023, Most Worshipful Brother Phil Moss took a breath, waited for a word, and moved on to a Higher Degree.
"And the Guard at the Gates of Heaven finished the report. And the God of Abraham and the God of his Fathers said unto him who waited without, "Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter ye into the joy of thy Lord."
He is gone, but the memory of his work is safely deposited in the repository of faithful breasts of all Freemasons who have known him.