Bro. Charles H. Waldron, 32°, K.C.C.H. (pictured right), was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma, in 1914 and raised a Master Mason in Albert Pike Lodge No. 303, Wichita, Kansas, in 1945, the same year he became a Scottish Rite Mason. In 1965, he moved to Columbus, Mississippi, to continue his business career. Throughout a long and productive life, Bro. Waldron has applied the counsel of Hippocrates, the ancient Greek philosopher, who noted, "Time is that wherein there is opportunity, and opportunity is that wherein there is no great time."

During his very successful and interesting business and civic life, Bro. Waldron served in many capacities, including the position of Director and CEO of a railroad company, as a board member of a bank, and as regional manager of a large building manufacturing company. Following his retirement, he has continued to serve the Scottish Rite and Masonry in general, but he has intensified his efforts to improve childhood communication skills in the Columbus, Mississippi, area where he resides.

For instance, Bro. Waldron helped organize the Lowndes County Scottish Rite Association and the local Scottish Rite Foundation in 1997. The Foundation works to improve childhood communication skills with a multifaceted approach.

To reach more children in need of essential testing, Bro. Waldron developed a partnership agreement with the local Scottish Rite Foundation and the Mississippi University for Women, utilizing facilities of the University's speech and hearing clinic.

He was also instrumental in organizing and sponsoring an effective dyslexia training program, operated by the local Scottish Rite Foundation in conjunction with the Greater Columbus Learning Center. In 1998, Bro. Waldron coordinated the area's first Dyslexia Symposium in concert with the Outreach Leaders from the Luke Waites Child Development Center in Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, Dallas, Texas. Over 200 educators and leaders from the Mississippi Legislature attended this symposium.

In 1999, the local Scottish Rite Foundation began a cooperative effort with the juvenile court system. Under Bro. Waldron's leadership, children with special learning needs who are housed in the juvenile detention center have been given specialized instruction and training with the approval and direction of the youth court judge who administers the system.

All of these activities are ongoing, including Dyslexia Symposiums that were held in 1999, 2000, and 2001 for teachers working with children from kindergarten to grade 12. The Lowndes County Shrine Club, as well as other Appendant Masonic organizations, has been supportive of these activities.

Now entering his 88th year, Bro. Waldron is still going strong. The example he sets in the way he lives is an inspiration to all who know him and illustrates a valuable lesson that serves all men well: that the effective use of the time allotted to each of us is a precious gift-a gift that should never be squandered at any age.