Sixty-year member Bro. WALTER SUSANJ was born July 13, 1923 in Bellingham, Wash. He entered our Society July 1, 1941 as a member of Bellingham Lodge 493. Over the next several years, he transferred to various other Lodges before settling into Enumclaw, Wash., Lodge 738.
Walter worked as a commercial fisherman and served in the U. S. Coast Guard in the South Pacific during World War II. When the war ended, he moved to Seattle, continuing his service in the local Coast Guard attachment.
He attended Cornish School of music and completed his music education course. He then began to play and teach professionally. He became a lifetime member of the Seattle Musicians Union.
Walter moved to Enumclaw where he served as president and secretary of Lodge 738. He was delegate to the 1950 convention in Detroit.
Now, Walter and his wife Peggy entertain by playing and singing with their Tamburitaza around the Seattle area. He received the Hall of Fame award from the Tamburitaza Association of America September 2000. He writes:
"I would like to thank the Home Office for the 60-year pin. I extend a special thank you to the officers and members of Lodge 738 for honoring me at the May 2001 meeting in Auburn, Wash."
This article was accompanied by a photo of Walter with his tamburitaza. Here is another photo of Walter taken during the May presentation.
Page Created: October 14, 2001
Page Updated: October 14, 2001
©Copyright 2001 Gary L. Gorsha
