Most Excellent Past Grand High Priest (2008 – 2009)
Companion Richard E. Yena, MEPGHP, was born in 1938 at South Bend, Indiana. After being awarded a baccalaureate degree from Western Michigan University and master’s degree from Indiana University, he began a career in education with a specialty in special education. He taught in Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, and was the director of special education at Lyons Township High School in LaGrange for thirty years. 11 October 1958, he married the former Phyllis Rand. Together, they have two married daughters, and four grandchildren.
Our MEPGHP was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason on 17 March 1977 in Western Springs Lodge No. 1136, A.F.&A.M., in Western Springs, presiding over that lodge in the years 1983-1984 and 2003-2004, and supervising it as District Deputy Grand Master during the years 1985-1988. He has been appointed to the Board of Managers of the Illinois Masonic Children’s Home since 1994, and is a member of the Illinois Lodge of Research.
Brother Yena was advanced to the degree of Mark Master on 27 August 1988 and exalted to the supreme degree of Holy Royal Arch Mason on 8 February 1989, both in West Suburban Chapter No. 207 in LaGrange (now in Downers Grove), of whom he served as Excellent High Priest in the years 2001-2002, before holding the same chair in Three Pillars Chapter No. 280 in Westchester in the years 2006-2007. He supervised the chapters as District Deputy Grand High Priest in 2002-2004, before being appointed to the Grand Chapter line in 2004 as Excellent Grand Royal Arch Captain. He was elected and installed as Most Excellent Grand High Priest on 1 August 2008, and as Right Excellent Grand Secretary on 31 July 2009. He continues to serve West Suburban Chapter as their Secretary. He is also the secretary/treasurer of the Northern Illinois Capitular Standard Club.
Companion Yena was greeted as a Select Master in West Suburban Council No. 103, Cryptic Masons, on 10 May 1989 in LaGrange (now in Downers Grove), and served that council as Thrice Illustrious Master in the years 2000-2001, and again in 2007-2008. He received the degree of Super Excellent Master on 1 June 2005. He has served on the Grand Council Nursing Scholarships Screening Committee since 1998, and has been chairman of that committee since 2006. He was awarded membership in the Council of Knights of Ish Sodi (“Man of My Choice”) on 26 July 2007 by Most Illustrious Grand Master Richard T. Carnall.
Dick was dubbed and created a Knight of the Valiant and Magnanimous Order of the Temple in Trinity Commandery No. 80,
Knights Templar of the State of Illinois, in Downers Grove on 17 February 1989, over which he presided as Eminent Commander in the years 2000-2001, and again in 2007-2008. In recognition of his sponsorship of new fratres, he has been awarded the
Grand Commandery’s basic Membership Jewel and two appurtenances, his most recent being on 1 August 2009.
As a Past Master, Past High Priest, Past Thrice Illustrious Master, and Past Eminent Commander, Sir Knight Yena was received into Illinois Priory No. 11 as a Knight of the York Cross of Honor on 30 July 2005. He now holds the jewel of a Knight of the York Grand Cross of Honor with one (red) quadrant, in recognition of his installation as Grand High Priest on 1 August 2008.
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Companion Yena was initiated into G. Wilbur Bell Council No. 273, Allied Masonic Degrees, on 15 December 2001 in Saint Charles; serving as its Sovereign Master in the years 2005-2006; and was received into Ye Ancient Order of Corks on 10 February 2006. He was ordained into Simon Peter Tabernacle XXII, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests on 2 December 2005; installed into the degree of Knight of the East and West in Saint Bridget Council No. 23, Knight Masons U.S.A.; received the degree of Knight of the Masonic and Military Order of the Red Cross of Constantine and the Orders of the Holy Sepulchre and Saint John the Evangelist in Saint John’s Conclave on 2 December 1997; became a member of the Grand College of Rites, U.S.A. on 9 February 2006, and a Frater of Illinois College, Societas Rosicruciana In Civitatibus Foederatis (Rosicrucian Society of the U.S.) on 1 December 1997.
Dick was created a Knight of York in Illinois York Rite College No. 15 on 28 July 2006, and presided as Preeminent Governor from 15 May 2010 until 21 May 2011. In recognition of his service to Freemasonry, he was received into the Order of the Purple Cross in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on 28 July 2007.
Brother Yena was created a 32° Scottish Rite Freemason and Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret in the Valley of Chicago on 19 April 1984, and presided as Most Wise Master of that valley’s Gourgas Chapter of Rose Croix of Heredom in the years 1993-1996. In recognition of his service to Scottish Rite Freemasonry, he was coroneted a 33° Freemason and Inspector General Honorary on 28 August 1996 by the Supreme Council of Sovereign Grand Inspectors General of the 33rd and Last Degree of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States of America. Today, he serves the Valley of Chicago as the assistant chairman of the Scholarships Committee.
Dick was created a Noble of the Mystic Shrine on 20 January 1988 in Medinah Shriners, A.A.O.N.M.S., whom he serves as Director of the Ritualistic Ceremonial.
Our MEPGHP was awarded an honorary membership in the Frank S. Land Preceptory of the Legion of Honor by the
Order of DeMolay of Illinois on 13 March 1998.