Robert Lawson Sutherland Jr.

Portsmouth, NH – Robert Lawson Sutherland, Jr., 82, of Portsmouth and Greenland, New Hampshire, died Wednesday
evening, June 4, 2025, in Portsmouth after a lengthy illness.
Born July 31, 1942, in Melrose, Massachusetts, to Robert Lawson and Kathlyn Pearl (Hopper) Sutherland, Sr., Bob grew
up tending to the cows on his grandfather Archie Hopper's farm in Greenland and learned to cook from his grandmother, Carlotta Hopper.
He graduated from Portsmouth High School with the class of 1960 and McIntosh College in Dover, New Hampshire in 1964. He loved living at the family homestead located at 280 Bayside Road in Greenland; served his hometown on committees and boards, including the Cemetery Committee; and was a longtime parishioner and former president of the church council at the Greenland Community Church. He was a natural business manager and completed his diverse career as a highly respected internal auditor with the New Hampshire based Susse Chalet hotel chain.
Bob was a member of the Order of DeMolay in his youth and served as Master Councilor of Portsmouth Chapter. He was awarded their highest recognition, the DeMolay Legion of Honor. Following in the footsteps of his father, he became a very
active and beloved member of the Masonic fraternity. He was Raised a Master Mason by his father in St. Andrew's Lodge, No. 56, F&AM in Portsmouth, on April 27, 1964. He served as Worshipful Master of his lodge in 1974 and again in 1978. He affiliated with St. John's Lodge, No. 1, F&AM of Portsmouth in 1975, and in 2002 and again in 2007, served as Worshipful Master of St. John's Lodge – one of very few men to lead both Masonic lodges in Portsmouth. He continued to be very active in Freemasonry around the seacoast and throughout the state of New Hampshire, and particularly enjoyed the association with his Masonic brothers at Star in the East Lodge, No. 59, in Exeter, and St. James Lodge, No. 102, in Hampton.
He was well known throughout the state for his impressive ability to organize and chair Masonic events of all sizes; for his remarkable leadership as chairman of foundations and committees; and for his beautiful presentation of Masonic ritual, which he could give even with short notice. He served in various capacities within the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire and was highly honored to serve as Rite Worshipful District Deputy Grand Master for the First Masonic District of New Hampshire. Over the years, he was recognized with the highest awards available to members of the Craft, including the Major General John Sullivan award in silver for his untiring and distinguished service to Freemasonry, and the Jeremy Ladd Cross medal, the highest Masonic Award given by the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire, for his lifelong commitment and outstanding dedication to the work of the Fraternity. At the time of his passing from labor to refreshment, he was a 61-year member of the Masonic fraternity.
Bob was a caring, dedicated and hard-working president of St. John's Masonic Association and James E. Whalley Masonic Library and Museum. For many years, he enjoyed membership in the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry; served on the Advisory Board for Portsmouth Assembly, Order of Rainbow for Girls; and was a past patron of Rivermouth Chapter, Order of Eastern Star. He enjoyed his work on the York Rite Life Membership Foundation; the New Hampshire Grand Lodge Life Membership Foundation; and the Knights Templar Educational Foundation Scholarship.
Bob loved the York Rite of Freemasonry. He was a member and past head of all York Rite bodies of Freemasonry in Portsmouth, including Washington Chapter, No. 3, Royal Arch Masons; Davenport Council, No. 5, Royal and Select Masters; and DeWitt Clinton Commandery, Knights Templar. Having served as the head of these organizations, he proudly wore the Masonic insignia of a Four Star General. He continued to serve and work diligently throughout the York Rite and was elected to lead the Grand York Rite bodies of New Hampshire, serving as Most Excellent Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of NH; Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Council, Cryptic Masons of NH; and Rite Eminent Grand Commander, Grand Commandery of Knights Templar for the state of NH.
With an indelible desire to enhance the Masonic education of others, Bob continued to work in the quarries of the Craft and its numerous appended organizations in New Hampshire, most of which he would ultimately lead. They included: Pre-Eminent
Governor of Profile York Rite College, No. 100 in which he was a distinguished recipient of the Order of the Purple Cross and Grand Governor for NH; Excellent Chief of Scenic Council, No. 37, Knight Masons; Eminent Prior, New Hampshire Priory, No. 58, Knights of the York Cross of Honour; President, New Hampshire Society of Veteran Freemasons; John Harris Council, No. 458, Allied Masonic Degrees; New Hampshire College, Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Fœderatis; St. Anselm Chapel, No. 36, the Commemorative Order of St. Thomas of Acon; Very Eminent Preceptor, Palestine Tabernacle, No. XLI, Holy Royal Arch Knights Templar Priests; and the pinnacle of his Masonic career, Puissant Sovereign, Granite State Conclave, Red Cross of
Constantine.
Bob enjoyed listening to gospel music, and paid close attention to local, state and national news. He enjoyed single malt scotch and sautéed scallops and was a champion solitaire player. He traveled all over the country for work and to attend Masonic related activities, and he enjoyed vacations in Las Vegas. He took numerous Caribbean cruises, and especially enjoyed spending time with his family and close friends. In his final years, he lived at Kittery Estates in Kittery, Maine where he had
many friends.
Bob was predeceased by his parents; his longtime companion, Robert Michael Argel, who passed away in 2014; his beloved beagles Mindi and Brandi; and countless brothers of the Masonic fraternity whom he loved dearly.
He is survived by several cousins including Candice L. Buell of Somersworth, New Hampshire, and his Aunt Donna (Sutherland) Waterman of West Bath, Maine; as well as several close friends and brothers from the Masonic fraternity.
He was a good man.
SERVICES: A Masonic service and graveside committal will be conducted on Thursday morning, July 31, 2025, at 10:00 at the family plot in Prospect Hill Cemetery located on Cemetery Lane in Greenland, New Hampshire. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire Masonic Charity Fund online at www.nhgrandlodge.org/product/nh-masonic-charity-fund-donation/. For online condolences visit: www.jvwoodfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the J. Verne Wood Funeral Home – Buckminster Chapel, 84 Broad St, Portsmouth, NH 03801.