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During the May 2022 Fire Side Chat, Most Puissant Companion Dick Eppler spoke on The Origins of Cryptic Masonry. The presentation covered the sources of the Cryptic Degrees, and how the Rite was put together.  This video is now available at the link below:

Origins of Cryptic Masonry Video

About MPC Dick Eppler

Richard A. Eppler was born April 30, 1934 in Lynn, MA. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Carnegie Institute of Technology, and a Master of Science and a Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering and Physics from University of Illinois.

While at Illinois he met and married Ruth Marilyn Coon. Employed by Corning Corp. they first lived ib Corning, NY, where their daughters Katherine Ruth Sieckman and Rebecca Elaine Prouty-Wyatt, and son Walter Richard Eppler were born. Sons Douglas Rollin Eppler and Bruce Andrew Eppler were born in Timonium, MD, where Dick was employed bt Pemco Corp.They have seven grandchildren.

The Epplers relocated to Cheshire, CT in 1984, where Dick was employed by Olin Corp. He now runs his consulting business Eppler Associates.

Dick wa raised in 1962 in Corning Lodge #1038, Corning, NY He later demitted to Mt. Moriah Lodge #116, Towson, MD, and thence to Arcana Lodge #119, Baltomore, MD, where he served as Worshipful Master in 1981-1983. Relocating to CT he affiliated with Compas Lodge #9. In 2009 he became a charter member of Ashlar Lodge $332, where he served as Worshipful Master in 2015.

In Royal Arch, Dick was exalted in Tuscan Chapter #42, Towson, MD, where he served as High Priest in 1972. He is a dual member of Joseph Andrews Pulaski Chapter #26, West Haven, CT, where he served as High Priest in 1988 and Secretary 1990-2013. He became a dual member of Keystone Chapter #6, serving as Secratary 2008-2022. He received the Ephraim Kirby citation in 1994. A member of the CT Convention of Anointed High Priests, he served as President in 2016.

For the Grand Chapter of CT, Dicki served as Custodian of the Work 2004-2008, and as Chairman of Custodians 2009-10. Appointed to the Grand line in 2010, he served as Grand High Priest in 2015.

Dick was greeted in Baltimore Council #18, Towson, MD and served as Thrice Illustrious Master in 1976.He received the Thrice Illustrious Master Degree in 1976, the Knight of Ish Sodi in 1977, and was elected Grsnd Principal Conductor of the Work in 1983.

Coming to CT, Dick affiliated with Crawford Council #19, where he has served as Thrice Illustrious Master several times and is the current Thrice Illustrious Master. In 2002 he affiliated with Hsmilton Council #9 and served as Thrice Illustrious Master in 2006-2007.He affiliated with the CT Council of Anointed Kings, where he was Thrice Illustrious King in 2004, and has been Scribe-Treasurer since then, and regularly does the Prologue in the degree. He was appointed to the Grand line in 1991 and served as Most Puissant Grand Master in 1998.

From 2010 to 2020 he was Editor of the Cryptic Freeman Magazine for the General Grand Council. In 2013 he received the Order of the Secret Vault from General Grand Council, and in 2019 the Award of Merit.

Knighted in Beauseant Commandery #8, Knights Templar in 1972, he served as Commander in 1979. Coming to CT, he affiliated with New Haven Commandery #2, serving as Commander in 1993. He became a member of St. Elmo Commandery #9 in 2002, and served as Prelate for several years, as Commander in 2009-2010, and in now Treasurer. He is a member of the Knight Crusaders of the Cross, serving in the East in 1993, and has been Recorder for many years. He received the Knight Templar Cross of Honor in 2009.

He was received a member of Francis Scott Key Priory #14 of the Knights of the York Cross of Honour in 1982, and is now a member of Connecticut Priory #28, serving as Prior in 1997, and as Registrar 2014-2019.

After serving several years as cast director of the Order Knight of York for Connecticut York Rite College #17, he joined the line and served as Governor in 1999. He received the York Rite Sovereign College Service Award in 1994, and the Order of the Purple Cross in 1996. He was appointed Deputy Gtand Governor for CT in 2001, serving until 2006, Grand Governor for CT 2006-2010, and as Grand Herald in 2010-2011.

In the Scottish Rite Dick is a member of the Valley of New Haven and Lafayette Consistory. He served as Thrice Potent Master of thec E.G. Storer Lodge of Perfection in 1990, as Most Wie Master of New Haven Chapter of Rose Croix I 1996.He received ther Arthur M. Brown 33 Meritorious Service Award in 1997.

He is a member of National Sojourners, where he has been President of both Baltimore Chapter #7 and Hartford Chapter #56, and Lafayette Camo Heroes of 76. He is Grand Tall Cedar if Laurel Forest #130, Tall Cedars of Lebanon. He has been Worthy Master of both Nuvum Eboracum Chapel and Nutmeg Chapel of the Order of St. Thomas of Acon. Very Eminent Preceptor of Emmanuel Tabernacle, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests, Excellent Chief of Mohawk Council, Knight Masons, and Sovereign Master of Nathan Hale Council #78, Allied Masonic Degrees.