The following message was sent out on Thursday by James Cole, Sovereign Grand Commander of the Scottish Rite Southern Jurisdiction:
It is with deep sadness that I share the passing of Richard “Dick” Fletcher, beloved husband of Judy Fletcher and a cherished member of our House of the Temple family.
Dick’s contributions to the Scottish Rite were immeasurable. For many years, he served as a dedicated volunteer in both the Membership Services Department and the Library, lending his time, talents, and unwavering support to the work of the Scottish Rite. His kindness, quiet strength, and generous spirit touched everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.
Beyond his volunteer work, Dick was the Past Grand Master of Masons in Vermont and served as the Executive Secretary of the Masonic Service Association of North America (MSA) from 1987 until his retirement in 2011, totaling about 24 years of dedicated leadership.
He was widely respected across the Masonic world for his efforts to promote Masonic education, disaster relief, and interjurisdictional cooperation. Whether welcoming House of the Temple visitors, assisting staff, or quietly ensuring the success of countless projects, he exemplified the best of our values through selfless service.
Condolences may be sent to Judy Fletcher at : --------------. I will keep you informed of arrangements.
Fraternally,
James D. Cole, 33°
Sovereign Grand Commander
Supreme Council, 33° | Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, SJ, USA
(Photo: From left: Judy Fletcher, Nicolas Cage, Darlene Alban,
and Richard E. Fletcher, at the premier of
National Treasure: Book of Secrets in New York City in December 2007)
Dick was an extremely kind and thoughtful Mason, and he was widely known all over the Masonic world. He was a tireless advocate for the fraternity and he will be sorely missed. Dick Fletcher was a Past Grand Master of Vermont and a 33° Scottish Rite Mason, and he came to the Masonic Service Association after a long career in banking. Under almost a quarter century of his leadership, the MSA established the Masonic Information Center, "Operation Phone Home" providing prepaid calling cards to overseas military personnel, and created the Twain Award, to reward excellence in Masonic awareness among individual lodges in North America. His travel schedule would have been daunting for men half his age, and he attended dozens of grand lodge sessions each year, often with his lovely wife Judy. Before his retirement in 2010, I seemed to see them everywhere I went. His departure truly marked the end of an era for MSA.
The MSA was created in 1919 to provide services to its member Grand Lodges that they would find difficult to provide for themselves. It remains the one organization that provides a national voice for mainstream Freemasonry in North America, and is a commission of the Conference of Grand Masters of Masons in North America.This post will be updated as soon as I can find funeral details for him.
Requiescat in pace.
Dick was one of the finest men and Masons I ever had the privilege to meet and work on a project with. He will be sorely missed.
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