Dr. Robert J.F. Elsner

Dr. Robert J.F. Elsner is a professor, artist, author, chef, avid reader, preacher, Scoutmaster, philanthropist, father, husband, editor, and active Mason. Born on Long Island, NY, he has lived in many places around the world. he son of an Episcopal priest, Rob began walking Labyrinths at an early age, and has continued that practice, walking labyrinths around the world. This started his fascination with centering prayer and meditation. Rob and his wife, Betsy, even though they had both graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and had lots of the same friends, never met there. Instead, they met in Paris while studying at Le Cordon Bleu. They fell fast in love and were married six months later (and are still newlyweds after over 30 years). Rob was the Executive Chef at the Nigerian High Commission in London before returning to Paris and completing an apprenticeship under Manuel Martinez (MOF) at La Tour d'Argent. After years in restaurants, Rob transitioned into Food Science, doing an MS at the University of Georgia, followed by several other degrees including a PhD in Lifespan Developmental Psychology. he was fortunate enough to publish dozens of articles and chapters, as well as edit two books, all before graduation. The work in grad school led him into Alzheimer's research for many years. During his Postdoctoral Fellowship in Medicine and Nutrition at University College Cork in Ireland, two profound, life-changing events occurred. First, he began painting and opened a new world of creativity. Second, he joined the First Lodge of Ireland, a time-immemorial Masonic Lodge. Moving back to the US to take a post in Family & Community Medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Rob joined Old Town Lodge #751 in Winston-Salem, NC. He later joined the York Rite and AMD there. He was able to develop several large-scale projects, such as the CornerStone Project, combining the resources of the Maya Angelou Center for Minority Health Equity, the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of NC, and 34 other organizations to do public Health Screenings at PHGL events. While NC was still segregated Masonicly, brothers could still work together professionally, and Rob took every opportunity to combine professional and fraternal within the letter of the law. Rob was asked by a friend, Major General Lloyd Wilkerson, to consider helping out a small Christian College in South Carolina. He became Professor and Chair of Psychology at Erskine College in Due West, SC. He began taking courses at the Erskine Theological Seminary and graduated with his MAPM and MDiv degrees, and did a DMin at Virginia Theological Seminary. Rob joined Clinton Lodge #3, AFM, in Abbeville, and was elected Master of the Lodge within two years. He presided over all of the York Rite Bodies locally and was immediately appointed to State offices. He joined the Scottish Rite, Valley of Greenville, where he became Personal Representative of the SGIG and was coroneted 33rd degree in 2021. He was elected to membership in the Knight Masons, York Rite College, Red Cross of Constantine, and several other honorary bodies. He has served as the Right Worshipful District Deputy Grand Master for the 11th Masonic District in South Carolina (2018-2021), and was elected Grand Commander of Knights Templar of South Carolina (2018-2019). He has served as several other State offices Masonicly. He is currently the Associate Grand Prelate of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the USA. Rob was a long-time Scoutmaster of Troop 54, BSA and life member of the Order of the Arrow. He has received numerous awards for his work with Scouting. Governor Nikki Haley appointed him to the Board of Directors of the Burton Center for Disabilities and Special Needs, the local regional authority for providing services to disabled and special needs citizens. He served as the Chair of the Board for three years instead of the usual two. He moved to Birmingham, Alabama, taking the position of Professor and Chair of Psychology at Samford University. Since living there, he has become the Grand Prelate for the Orient of Alabama and the Grand Chaplain of the Grand Council R&SM.