Most Worshipful Brother Calvin A. Behle
Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of Utah 1957.
Brother Behle was born March 16, 1907 in Salt Lake City, where he has made his home continuously, except during the time he was studying at Stanford University and in the service of his country during World War II.
He received his education in the Salt Lake City elementary and high schools, and Stanford University, concluding his school work at the University of Utah Law School.
He was united in marriage with Miss Grace Young Clayton on August 27, 1934. Mrs. Behle is a descendant of two pioneer Utah fami-lies whose grandfathers were Masons. They have two daughters, Marilyn and Marcia, both of whom are active in Job's Daughters. Marilyn is now at Knox College.
He was admitted to the Bar in 1931 and soon thereafter began the practice of Law which he continued for approximately nine years, when he went into service with the Army in World War II, in which he continued four years.
Since reaching his majority he has been very active in civic affairs. Before going into the Army his valued services were recognized in being awarded the Junior Chamber of Commerce medal for outstanding work as Chairman of the Red Cross, Officer of the Community Chest, Leader in Boy Scout work, President of the Salt Lake County Bar Association and other enterprises.
His services were likewise recognized while serving with the Allied War Crimes Commission and at the Nurnberg War Crime Trials. He received official decorations from the Governments of United States and Czechoslovakia. He was promoted to the rank of Lt. Colonel in the Judge Advocate's Corps in March, 1945; while in the United Kingdom and later served in Germany, France, Austria, Hungary and Czechoslovakia. He is still active in the Armed Services with the rank of Colonel.
Upon being released from active Army duty in July of 1946, he resumed the practice of Law as a member of the firm of Dickson, Ellis, Parsons and McCrea. He also engaged in many civic activities, including the Chairmanship of the Salt Lake Civil Service Commission; Vice President of the Utah Public School Survey Commission, member of the Supreme Court Rules Commission, President of the Utah Society, Sons of the American Revolution; member of the American Bar Association; Utah State Bar and Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.
HIS MASONIC RECORD
Brother Behle was a Charter member of the first Chapter of the Order of DeMolay in Utah and is a member of the Honorary Legion of Honor of DeMolay. He received the Master Mason degree in Mt. Moriah Lodge No.2 of Salt Lake City March 27, 1933 and was Worshipful Master of his Lodge during the year 1939.
On March 24, 1939 he received the Capitular degrees in Utah Chapter No.1, R. A. M. and the Cryptic degrees in Utah Council No. 1, R. & S. Masters at the Royal Arch Festival of March 30, 1940. He served as High Priest of Utah Chapter in 1948 and as Illustrious Master of Utah Council in 1949 and is a member of the Order of the Silver Trowel. In addition to two years service, 1949-1951, as General Director of the work of the Chapter, Council and Commandery, he is a member of the General Grand Chapter Committee on Royal Arch Advancement and Fraternal Correspondence.
While in Military service he received the Illustrious Order of Red Cross and the Order of Malta October 27, 1943 and the Order of the Temple on November 6, 1943 in Utah Commandery No.1 of Salt Lake City and is at present Junior Warden of Utah Commandery.
On November 9, 1946 he became a member of EI Kalah Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S. and is a member of the Royal Order of Jesters.
He received the Scottis'h Rite degrees in Jordan Lodge of Perfection and James Lowe Chapter of Rose Croix April 24 and 25, 1939 and in Salt Lake Council of Kadosh and Utah Consistory April 24, 1941. He was elected Knight Commander of the Court of Honor on October 20, 1953 and received the Investiture on February 13, 1954.
When Brother Behle has completed his term as Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge, F. & A. M. of Utah he will have served nine years as an officer in the following order:
January 25, 1949 Grand Standard Bearer
January 24, 1950 Grand Orator
January 23, 1951 Grand Orator
January 29, 1952 Grand Chaplain
January 27, 1953 Grand Orator
January 26, 1954 Junior Grand Warden
January 25, 1955 Senior Grand Warden
January 24, 1956 Deputy Grand Master
January 29, 1957 M. W. Grand Master
Brother Behle's world of experience in civic affairs, the practice of his profession, in both civil and military lines and in Masonry in its many departments, together with his natural ability, has placed him in an enviable position to fill the office of Grand Master in a most commendable manner.
Utah Grand Lodge Proceedings, 1957.
PGM, Calvin A. Behle died on September 29, 1999 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Utah Grand Lodge Proceedings, 2000, page 106.
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