Most Worshipful Brother Charles Leander Prisk

Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of Utah 1959.

Charles Leander Prisk, our eighty-fourth Grand Master, was born in Park City, Utah, February 14, 1905, a son of Charles Thomas and Nelly Perry Prisk.

He was graduated from West High School in Salt Lake City in 1923, and from the University of Utah School of Medicine in Salt Lake City with a Bachelor of Science Degree and a Graduate Pharmacist Degree in 1929.

On June 11, 1930 he married Martha H. Culp, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. S. Culp, both well known in Utah Masonic circles. Mrs. Prisk has served as Matron of her Chapter, Order of Eastern Star and is now serving as Worthy Grand Matron of the Grand Chapter Order of Eastern Star. For the past nineteen years she has served as Organist for the First Methodist Church.

The Prisks have two sons, Earl and Glenn. Both are Past Master Councilors of the Salt Lake Chapter Order DeMolay and both are Knights of the Court of Chevaliers. They are members of Kaibab Lodge No. 25 and of the York Rite Bodies in Salt Lake City.

At the present time our Grand Master is co-owner and general manager of the Prescription Pharmacy and the Medical Arts Pharmacy.

Brother Prisk has taken an active part in his profession having been appointed to the State Board of Pharmacy by former Governor J. Bracken Lee in 1950 for a five-year term and reappointed by Governor Clyde for a similar period in 1955. He was President of the State Board of Pharmacy in 1955. He is Past President of the Utah Pharmaceutical Association and Past Vice President of the Rocky Mountain Drug Conference. At present he is a member of the Utah Professional Council.

He is presently a member of the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce, Past President of the Salt Lake Kiwanis Club and a member of the Advisory Council Salt Lake School of Nursing.

Our Grand Master has been a life long Methodist and has attended the First Methodist Church for the last thirty-eight years. He has worked through all the Youth Groups, has held offices on the Official Board, and is a member of the Choir.

Brother Prisk has long been active in all branches of Masonry. He was a charter member of DeMolay of the Salt Lake Chapter and served as Master Councilor in 1926. He was elected to receive the DeMolay Legion of Honor March 7, 1047, served on the DeMolay Council since 1940, and was Deputy member of the International Supreme Council 1954-1957. He received the DeMolay Cross of Honor April 1956.

He received the three degrees of Masonry in Kaibab Lodge No. 25, F. & A.M. in Salt Lake City in 1930 and was Worshipful Master in 1939.

He was Exalted in Utah Chapter No.1, R.A.M., Feb. 17, 1934, and served as High Priest in 1946. He served as M.E. Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Utah 1955-1956. He received the Order of High Priesthood Feb. 25, 1946.

Brother Prisk joined Utah Council No.1, R. & S.M., May 2, 1934 and was Illustrious Master in 1943. He made regular advancements in the Grand Council and was elected Illustrious Grand Master in 1943. In 1953 he was Master of the Thrice Illustrious Master Degree, a group he joined as charter member.

He was Knighted in Utah Commandery No.1, K.T. April 5, 1934, later was Eminent Commander, and is now R.E. Grand Com-mander of the Grand Commandery. He is also an Honorary member of the Grand Commandery, K.T., of Arizona.

Brother Prisk now holds four Quadrants in Knights of the York Cross of Honour, one of the few in the United States who does, and the only Utah Member. He was Eminent Prior of that Body in 1957.

He was elected to Bonneville Conclave No.25, Red Cross of Constantine, in 1948 and Viceroy in 1958.

He received the Scottish Rite degrees from the 4th to 32nd in Salt Lake City with the Fall Class of 1948. He was vice president of his class and has taken ritualistic parts in the various degrees.

He joined EI Kalah Temple of the Shrine in 1944 and is Past President of the Chanters. Since joining the Chanters he has been the representative for the Uniformed Units on the Activities Committee.

He is Past Worthy Patron of Mizpah Chapter No.5, Order of Eastern Star and Past Watchman of the Shepards of the White Shrine of Jerusalem.

In Grand Lodge he has held the following offices:

Appointed Senior Grand Deacon, 1951
Appointed Grand Orator, 1952
Appointed Grand Chaplain, 1953
Appointed Grand Marshal, 1954
Reappointed Grand Marshal, 1955
Elected Junior Grand Warden, 1956
Elected Senior Grand Warden, 1957
Elected Deputy Grand Master, l958
Elected Grand Master, 1959

From the foregoing record we know that Masonry has been a good part of our Grand Master's life. The offices held over the years indicate that many, many hours have been spent in the service of the Order he is so devoted to and believes in.

He has had valuable experience in the commercial and professional world and has found time to contribute to church and civic duties as well. When he accepts an assignment of office he accepts all the responsibilities that go with it. We know we can look forward with confidence that our Grand Master will receive the applause of his Brethren when his term of office expires.

Utah Grand Lodge Proceedings, 1959.

PGM, Charles Leander Prisk died on July 4, 1986 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Utah Grand Lodge Proceedings, 1987, page 101.