Most Worshipful John Boyd Obenchain

John Boyd Obenchain was born in Roanoke County, Virginia on August 20, 1933. He is the second child and only son of Annie Richardson and Sidney Boyd Obenchain. He attended Roanoke County Schools and graduated from Andrew Lewis High School in June, 1951.

John Obenchain attended National Business College in Roanoke, Virginia. While there he met his wife, the former Joann Perdue of Elliston, Virginia. They married on July 24, 1953 and are the proud parents of two fine sons, John B. Obenchain, Jr. born June 12, 1961 and Charles Scott Obenchain born July 21, 1964.

John B. Obenchain served in the Virginia National Guard, United States Army Occupational Forces in Germany as well as the United States Army Reserve. He was discharged with the permanent rank of First Lieutenant.
Following discharge from the U. S. Army he returned to his work with the Norfolk and Western Railroad in Roanoke, Virginia where he advanced to the rating of Machinist.

In January, 1957 John Obenchain entered Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and was graduated with a B. S. Degree in Electrical Engineering on June 12, 1960. He was employed by Hercules, Inc. in Parlin, New Jersey and Wilm-ington, Delaware from June, 1960 until April, 1968 when he returned to Roanoke, Virginia and began his career as a Consulting Engineer.

On April 1, 1971 John Obenchain joined Robert L. Mills, an architect, in Blacksburg, Virginia. They formed the Architectural and Engineering firm which was to become Mills, Obenchain, Oliver and Webb, Inc. John Obenchain divested himself of his financial interests in this firm on December 31, 1982 at which time he began the private practice of electrical engineering.

John Boyd Obenchain was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in Solomon Lodge No. 822 in Stuttgart, Germany in 1956. At that time he was serving in the U. S. Army. Upon discharge from the Army in 1956 he affiliated with Craighill Lodge No. 160, A.F. & A.M. He served that lodge as its Worshipful Master in 1972 and 1973. In 1975 he served the 40th Masonic District as its District Deputy Grand Master. John B. Obenchain was elected Grand Junior Deacon of the Grand Lodge of Virginia in February, 1980.

Other Masonic interests include service on the Committee for Advance Planning, Research and Construction during the years 1978-1982. He is an honorary member of Hunter's Lodge No. 156, A.F. & A.M. in Blacksburg; and Melrose No. 139, A.F & A.M. in Roanoke; Blacksburg Chapter No. 65 of Royal Arch Masons; Blacksburg Commandery No. 32; the Roanoke Bodies of Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite in Virginia; Kazim Temple; New River Valley Allied Masonic Degrees, and Wilderness Road York Rite College.

Brother Obenchain and his family are members of the Blacksburg Baptist Church where he presently serves on the Nominating and Finance Committees. He has served in the capacities of teacher to deacon in churches in New Brunswick, New Jersey, Wilmington, Delaware, as well as in Roanoke, Virginia.

John Boyd Obenchain was installed the 141st Grand Master of Masons in Virginia on February 12, 1985 at Roanoke.

Most Worshipful Brother Obenchain's hobbies and interests include golfing, boating, camping and traveling.