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2003 WBHS graduate now leading Des Moines Masons
News · February 24, 2010
The Masons of Capital Lodge AF & AM No. 110 of Des Moines have chosen their new leader, Edward Furchtenicht, who is the ultimate authority for the 150-member fraternal organization.
Furchtenicht, 25, is the youngest to hold the title of Worshipful Master in Capital Lodge, founded in 1858.
Installed to the office on Jan. 2, Furchtenicht, of Des Moines, is the son of Richard and Patricia Furchtenicht of West Branch. He replaces Jim Wall, who is in his 70’s and who retired from office.
“We’re here to have fun, learn and to help other people when we can,” Furchtenicht said.
As Worshipful Master, Furchtenicht has the responsibility for setting the agenda for his lodge, conducting meetings, reporting to the Grand Master — the head of the Masons in Iowa — and keeping lodge members on track with degree work.
Furchtenicht joined when he was 20, at that time the lodge had 176 members, now it is down to 150 due to losing many elderly members.
Furchtenicht is a 2003 graduate of West Branch High School. He moved to Des Moines that year to attend Drake University. He is now a political consultant.
Furchtenicht wanted to become a Mason since he was 4 years old, inspired by two members of the West Branch Masonic Lodge, Clarence Crew and Alan Bohanan.
His proudest moment was when the Masons gave $3,000 to a family through a military group. The father was unemployed and had health issues and his 5-year-old daughter had had a heart attack and medical bills were piling up.
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