W. Ronald Coale, 33°
6422 Savannah Place
Stockton, California 95219–3616

Illustrious Brother Robert T. Monagan has contributed significantly to his community, state, Freemasonry, and America throughout his impressive career.

What do California State Highway Route 205 and the Chairman of the Board of Regents of the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, have in common? The name of Robert T. Monagan, that's what! Ill. Robert T. Monagan, 33° (pictured below left), is a member of the Stockton Scottish Rite Bodies and a 50-year member of Morning Star Lodge No. 68 in Stockton. He was elected to receive the Thirty-third Degree in October 1995 and served as class speaker upon receiving the honor in San Francisco in December of that year. The Brethren in Stockton, in particular, and in California, in general, are indeed proud of this Illustrious Brother whose distinguished career has spanned three levels of government for nearly half a century: city, state, and federal.

Prior to being elected city councilman and mayor of Tracy, California, in 1958, he served as Secretary Manager of the Tracy Chamber of Commerce and then went on to become an administrative assistant to our late Congressman Leroy Johnson. During this period, he found time to manage the Eisenhower–Nixon campaign in San Joaquin County, California.

In 1960, he was elected to California's 12th Assembly District and served as an Assemblyman until 1973. Brother Monagan was elected to the position of Minority Leader by his Republican colleagues in 1965 and was reelected to that post each succeeding year, except for the years he served as Speaker of the Assembly (from January 6, 1969, until January 4, 1971). While Brother Monagan was in the California State Assembly, he also served as President of the National Conference of State Legislative Leaders and on the Executive Board of both the Council of State Governments and the National Legislative Conference.

In 1973, he was appointed by President Nixon as Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs in the United States Department of Transportation. Bob Monagan now serves as Chairman of the California State World Trade Commission, a member of the Board of Directors of the Independent Colleges of Northern California, a member of the President's Advisory Council on Private Sector Initiatives (appointed by then President Ronald Reagan), and as a member of the Board of Directors of the California Journal. He also has served as President of the California Manufactures Association from 1974 until he took office as President of the California Economic Development Corporation in 1984.

Brother Monagan graduated from the University of the Pacific in 1942 (formerly known as College of the Pacific). He was student body president and a star athlete. He served as a reserve officer in the United States Coast Guard (1943–46) aboard a cutter in the Aleutians and rose to the rank of Lt. J.G.

A founding partner in the insurance and real estate business (Monagan–Miller Agency) in Tracy, California, he also serves as Counselor to The Apex Group (Advocacy Government Relations Public Affairs) in Sacramento and is married to the former Ione Angwin who is also an Alumnus of the University of the Pacific. They have two grown children, Michael and Marilee.

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No 75, Resolution Chapter 128, filed with the California Secretary of State on September 30, 1985, the California Senate concurring, says it best: "Whereas, throughout his career in both the public and private sector, the Honorable Robert T. Monagan has served well the people of this state." I would also add that Brother Monagan has served well the Masonic Fraternity and is indeed a credit to our gentle Craft.

W. Ronald Coale is a third-generation Mason and 35-year member of the Valley of Stockton, California, where he serves as Personal Representative. A Past Master of Morning Star Lodge No. 68, Stockton, he served the Grand Lodge of California as an Inspector for ten years and was a member of several Grand Lodge committees. A recipient of the DeMolay Legion of Honor, he is a member of the Royal Order of Scotland and Ben Ali Shrine, Sacramento. A former Vice Mayor of the City of Stockton and former chairman and current member of the Port of Stockton Board of Commissioners, he currently represents the California Trucking Association in an advisory capacity.