John R. Teller, Jr. Bio (from the 156th AASR Reunion)

For Whom the Class is Named
R.:W.: & Ill.: John R. Teller, Jr., 33°
Past Sovereign Prince

John R. Teller, Jr. was born on July 13, 1937 in Cincinnati Ohio to John R. Teller, Sr. and Carolyn E. Roberts. He attended public schools in Cincinnati and graduated from Withrow High School in 1955. His education continued with attending the University of Cincinnati and graduating with an Associate Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1957. While attending U.C. he was received into Tau Alpha Phi Honor Society for maintaining his grade point average. His education continued toward his Bachelors Degree by attending evening classes at U.C. Later he attended Ohio State University Short School completing courses in waste water treatment enabling him to attain his Ohio State Class I Waste Water Treatment License.

His professional career began in 1955 with the R. K. LeBlond Machine Tool Company in the co-op program with the University of Cincinnati while training for Field Service Engineer. During these four years he spent training in the various departments of the company with some travel in field service.

In 1959 his career changed when he was employed by the Cincinnati Metropolitan Sewer District in the Waste Water Treatment Operation Division. During the next four years he advanced to Class II Plant Operator at the Little Miami Treatment Facility.

Then in 1962 to 1963 his electrical engineering knowledge enabled him to assume the electrical maintenance responsibility at the Mill Creek Barrier Dam for flood control. This facility protected the Mill Creek Valley, Fort Washington Freeway and downtown Cincinnati from flooding.

Later in 1963 his electrical engineering knowledge advanced him to supervising the instrumentation maintenance for the Hamilton County wide Metropolitan Sewer District. This responsibility included maintaining the instrumentation controlling the operation of all the waste water treatment plant facilities and their pumping stations. He held this position until 1982.

In 1982 his electrical engineering and maintenance experience advanced him to become the Supervisor of Maintenance at the Cincinnati Convention Center. His responsibilities included working with Architects and Engineers in the design and construction of the $62 million dollar expansion of the Convention Center while maintaining its operation during construction. After completing thirty four years of service with the City of Cincinnati he retired in February of 1993.

His retirement did not last long because in 1996 after receiving a request from Sovereign Grand Commander Robert O. Ralston, John and Cathie left Cincinnati for Lexington, Massachusetts to join Commander Ralston at Supreme Council Scottish Rite. His responsibilities included being an Aid to the Sovereign Grand Commander, Membership Development for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction and Special Assignments. His Special Assignments duties included various projects at the National Heritage Museum, Headquarters Facilities and the Children's Learning Centers. Projects at the Museum included designing and overseeing the installation of thirteen stained glass windows, installing new seats and a state of the art lighting system in the Maxwell Auditorium, insulating the HVAC duct work, removal of the building gutters and installation of a drainage system around the perimeter of the building and designing and engineering relocation office space for Supreme Council staff operations during the construction of the new Headquarters Building. He assisted various valleys with their Learning Center office and class room equipment requirements from office furnishings donated to Supreme Council for this purpose. He worked extensively with the Architects and Engineers on the new Headquarters Building construction project.

John and Cathie returned to Cincinnati in late 1999 due to Cathie's health requiring a heart valve replacement.

John's community service included working with Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts with sons John and Jim. During their grade and high school years he served on the Friends Board of the School for Creating and Performing Arts and was vice-president of the building and maintenance committee. He also assisted with the Cincinnati All City Boy Choir during this time.

From 1987 to 1989 he was a member of the City of Cincinnati's Middle Management Board, serving as President in 1989.

For over sixty years he was actively involved with the United Church of Christ in Oakley. He served as Deacon, Elder, President of the Consistory several times, Chairman of the Trustees and chaired many committees over the years. He has presently changed his membership to the Madeira Silverwood Presbyterian Church.

John's Masonic adventures started when he joined Hyde Park Chapter Order of DeMolay in 1953 serving in several offices while attending High School. As a gift from his wife Cathie on their first Christmas together he received a petition and fees to join Oakley Lodge No. 668. He was raised in 1961, served as Master in 1969. John was elected to the Stewart S. Cooper Building Fund, Inc. in 1970 and was President in 1995 and 1996. He received the Exemplary Man Award from Oakley Lodge. John and several other brethren in 1970 were instrumental in organizing Oakley Chapter Order of DeMolay, formally Hyde Park Chapter. He served as Chapter Advisor, Chairman of the Advisory Council, Seventh District Deputy for DeMolay and has recieved the Active Legion of Honor and Cross of Honor.

John has served the Grand Lodge of Ohio as First District Association President in 1975, District Education Officer, District Deputy Grand Master, Grand Tyler in 2000, served on the Jurisprudence and Grievance Committees and presently serving as Grand Lodge Region Three Trial Commissioner and on the Credentials Committee. He received the Grand Master's Award in 2005 from Grand Master Jim S. Deyo. John is an honorary member of Caliburn Lodge No 785 and Hanselmann Lodge No. 208.

John joined the Valley of Cincinnati Scottish Rite in Noveber 1961, served as Sovereign Prince 1987-1989, received the 33° in 1989, served on the Board of Trustees 1995-1996 and 2007-2008, 33° Club President 1993, later Secretary and elected Executive Secretary of the Valley in 2008. He is presently serving Supreme Council as Aid to the Sovereign Grand Commander and has since 1994. John was awarded the Medal of Honor in 2002 from Supreme Council.

John's other Masonic affiliations include McMillan Chapter (now Norwood Chapter No. 193 R.A.M.), Henry Weeks Council No. 137 R. & S.M., Cincinnati Commandery No. 3, Jacques DeMolay Council A.M.D. No. 371 (Sovereign Master 2007), St. Columbia Chapter Red Cross of Constantine (Eminent Viceroy) and Miami Valley York Rite College No. 193. John and Cathie were married in 1960 and have two sons John and Jim. They have six grand children, Christine and Madison (John and Kellie); Rebekah, Elisa, Michael and Hannah (Jim and Cindy). His enjoyment consists of model trains, grandchildren, golf, gardening, travel and family.

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