Charles Whitcomb (Chick) Hunter

Chick was born in Roslindale, Mass on the 11th of September, 1908. The youngest of 5 children of John and Margaret Hunter, he attended the Longfellow School and Hyde Park High School, where he lettered in long distance running, baseball and football. He was on the bowling team, and captained the rifle and swimming teams. He was a teacher/student, and president of the science and chess clubs.

He was a member of the Sr. Red Cross Life Saving Corps, and was an Eagle Scout and an Assistant Scoutmaster.

Chick continued his studies at Franklin Technical Institute in the field of chemistry and bacteriology. He was employed from 1926 to 1962 by Weston & Sampson Consulting Engineers of Boston as a chemist, bacteriologist and microscopist. From 1926 to 1929, Chick was Company Clerk of the 101st Observation Squadron of the 26th Aviation Division and played trumpet and baritone horn in their band. He was an organizer and past president of their Air Service DeMolay Club. He became a member of Boston Chapter, Order of DeMolay, in 1926 and was an officer in both degrees, as well as a member of the band and the dramatic club. He joined Sir Galahad Chapter at it's inception on December 15th, 1929 and became their first Scribe, and third Master Councilor.

Chick took part in just about every activity the Chapter had to offer. He became editor of the Chapter newsletter, "The Roundtable", the basketball, baseball, boxing, bowling, and rifle teams, and became editor in chief of the Chapter yearbook. He served on at least 18 different committees. He never missed a meeting.  He was a delegate to the first three State Conclaves, and in 1929, he became the first Representative DeMolay in New England, only the ninth one nationwide.

Chick was awarded the DeMolay Legion of Honor in 1930, and rose to the presidency of Massachusetts Court in 1940.

In 1937, he became a member of the Sir Galahad Chapter Advisory Council and served as Chairman in 1946 and 1947 when he received the Cross of Honor. He was the president of the Dahalagris Alumni in 1937. He co-founded the DeMolay State Ball, in 1939, and the Camp DeMolay Ball that preceded it. He became president of the New England Council, DeMolay Alumni in 1939, and was created a Chevalier in 1955.

He was raised in West Roxbury Lodge in 1946 and rose to serve it as Master in 1953, and District Deputy in 1955 and 1956.  He was a prolific blood donor, holding a ten gallon pin at the time of his death.

Chick was a life member of the Scottish Rite bodies in the Valley of Boston, and a member of the Aleppo Shrine.

He passed to the Celestial Lodge in March 1963 at 54 years of age.

During his career in DeMolay, Chick was directly responsible for sponsoring no less than 179 members into Sir Galahad Chapter.

B. Scott MacInnes, 28 March '05 

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Last Updated: October 13, 2011