As earlier reported on the DCFreemasons Yahoo List, Right Worshipful Brother Victor Adegbite was called to the Celestial Lodge on January 10. His funeral will be held tomorrow, Saturday, January 25, at Fort Lincoln Cemetery, 3401 Bladensburg Road, Brentwood, Maryland, at 1:30pm; viewing will begin at 12:30pm.
In the profane world, RWB Adegbite was an accomplished architect and teacher. He was a Professor Emeritus and retired Associate Dean of the Howard University School of Architecture and Planning. In addition, he served as Chief Architect of the Ghana government, consultant to the United Nations, and Past President and Treasurer of the Ghana Institute of Architects, among other offices.
The loss of our RWB Adegbite will be particularly felt, however, among Freemasons of the District of Columbia. His contributions to our Ancient and Gentle Craft, in general, and to this Grand Jurisdiction, to which he was especially devoted, were manifold. RWB Adegbite helped found Sojourner-Kilwinning Lodge No. 1798, and Fiat Lux Lodge No. 1717. He was also instrumental in the founding of two Royal Arch chapters and one council of Cryptic Masons. RWB Adegbite was active in the Scottish Rite, Valley of Washington, where he was coroneted a 33rd Degree, Honorary Inspector General. The Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia recognized RWB Adegbite's many accomplishments, contributions, and general dedication to the Craft in its presentation of the Distinguished Service Award in 2005, and again, in 2009, in naming him Honorary Past Senior Grand Warden.
Victor was known to have exemplified the character of a Master Mason. He labored faithfully in the service of our Craft; he conducted himself with dignity, compassion, and fraternal affection; and though we saw fit to recognize, on occasion, his contributions to Freemasonry, he did not seek personal glory or honors. He was, it has been observed, a Mason's Mason.
RWB Adegbite's passing is our loss. While his spirit has been lifted by the Great Architect of the Universe, his friends and family have lost one beloved and we, Freemasons, have lost a faithful brother and exemplar of the highest and best traditions of Freemasonry.
My Brothers, if your schedule permits, I encourage you to attend RWB Adegbite's funeral tomorrow. If it does not, I ask you take a moment tomorrow to consider our loss in the passing of this good brother.