Raymond G. Christensen (286)
Grand Master

Raised to the degree of a Master Mason 27 December 1982 at Solomon’s Lodge No. 286 in Moose Lake, Minnesota, I progressed through the line and served as Master in 1987. I then served the Grand Lodge of Minnesota as District Representative for the original District 5, Area Deputy for Northeast Minnesota, and Grand Orator for Grand Master Neetenbeek.

I am a KCCH in the Scottish Rite, have served as Commander of Kadosh, Venerable Master, and in degree work. In the York Rite I am a KYCH and have enjoyed leadership and degree work in the various bodies. I am a Past Potentate of AAD Shrine. I belong to several other Masonic orders and have received the Legion of Honor from the DeMolay.

My Masonic heritage stems from my maternal grandfather and uncles. Though they all lived some distance away the influence they had on my life was terrifically formative.

As in medicine, Masonry is about relationships with and support of each other. My hope is that each mason will have the mentoring necessary to grow and utilize all that the Gentle Craft has to offer.

In my early school years I attended a one room school with two other classmates and graduated from Unity High School, Balsam Lake, Wisconsin in 1962. I graduated from Wisconsin State University-River Falls, with a BS degree in Agriculture in 1966. I graduated from the University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, WI with a medical degree in 1971. I completed my internship at St Mary’s Hospital, Duluth, Minnesota, in 1972. As partners Dr. Gregory Peterson and I established the Gateway Family Health Clinic, Ltd., Moose Lake, Minnesota. We began practice on 10 July 1972, where I continue to practice medicine. In the 1990s I served as Medical Advisor to the Commissioner of Health, and as a rural consultant and advisor to the University of Minnesota Medical School Outreach Department. In 2002 I began work as the Assistant Dean for Rural Health and Associate Professor of Family Medicine for the University of Minnesota Medical School. I have also served as a rural advisor to the Rural Health Research Center.

I have been involved in many professional activities focusing on my mission of access to quality health care for all rural citizens. I have been privileged to serve on multiple boards and committees, as well as in leadership capacities in several professional organizations.

Born 3 April 1944 in Valley City, North Dakota, I spent the first 18 months of life with my mother and maternal grandfather while my dad served in the Army. My grandfather was a Mason raised in Orrstown, Pennsylvania. He and many of his sons were devout masons in Leal, North Dakota. His request of my parents for the time we lived with him was that one day I would have the opportunity to be made a Mason. We then moved to Wisconsin, and I grew up on a small dairy farm with five younger siblings. I have two daughters, a stepdaughter, and one grand son. I have completed 13 marathons and countless other races, as well as several bike races. Joan and I enjoy walking now. I became a Mason at age 39 and have found a deep peace in the multiple aspects of the craft.