Charles E. Kamp *

Illustrious Sir Charles E. Kamp

Potentate - 1951

Illustrious Potentate Charles E. Kamp’s year got underway when he presided over the cornerstone-laying ceremonies for the $1,000,000 Arabia Temple Crippled Children’s Clinic in the Medical Center on January 24, 1951. Approximately 1,000 guests, including many dignitaries, were in attendance. Several of the clinic patients, assisted by the Potentate, had a part in the actual laying of the cornerstone and for his services, Potentate Kamp received a “Certificate of membership for one day” in the Bricklayers Union No. 7 from the Business Agent.

With the construction of the Crippled Children’s Clinic now a reality, and with twelve Shrine Clubs participating, the 1951 Crippled Children’s Benefit reached new heights. Arabia Temple’s Bowling Nobility opened Fred Magee’s great new bowling center at 7035 Harrisburg. Mr. Magee donated, without deducting one penny for operating expenses, the entire receipts of the opening day to the Crippled Children’s Benefit.

Due to the international situation in Korea, apprehension prevailed at the Imperial meetings in New York City which Potentate Kamp and the representatives attended. Noble Robert G. Wilson, Jr. of Aleppo Temple in Boston, Mass. was elected Imperial Potentate. Although some of Arabia’s Nobles were being called up for active duty, activity at the Mosque and in the out-of-town Shrine Clubs was not diminished. The Temple mourned the loss of Past Potentate Robert E. Waltrip who died on October 9th. Again, with outstanding support from the Shrine Clubs and the Uniformed Units, the Circus was an outstanding success. Both ceremonials resulted in an increase in membership for the year. The Temple membership stood at 7,842.