Sir Knight David Maxwell Bertch, Right Eminent Grand Commander

Sir Knight David Maxwell Bertch was born in Richmond, Ind., on April 9, 1944, to John Maxwell and Dorothy (Deich) Bertch, now deceased. He is a life long resident of Liberty, Ind. After graduating in 1962 from Short High School, he attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and received a bachelor's degree in 1966. He also received a master's degree from Ball State University in 1969.

He worked in the education field for eight years following his graduation from Miami and then in 1974 joined the family firm of J. A. Bertch & Son, Inc. where he now is secretary / treasurer. He has one brother, John Bertch, two nieces, a nephew and two grandnephews.

He is a member of the Edwards Memorial United Methodist Church where he served as a trustee and sang in the choir for many years. He is also a member of the Bay View Association of the United Methodist Church, Bay View, Mich.

His Masonic journey began in 1985 when he was Raised a Master Mason in Liberty Lodge No. 58. He immediately started through the chairs at that lodge and served as Worshipful Master in 1991. He is also a member of Bartimaeus Lodge U.D. He became a member of the York Rite in 1992 at a class in Ft. Wayne honoring then Most Worshipful Grand Master Daniel Leonard, and has been affiliated with the Connersville York Rite Bodies since that time.

He has served as High Priest of Maxwell Chapter No. 18, Illustrious Master of Fayette Counsel No. 6 and Eminent Commander of Connersville Commandery No.6. He served several years as an Area Representative for the Grand Lodge of Indiana. He is also a member of the Scottish Rite, Valley of Indianapolis, and the Whitewater Valley Scottish Rite Club; Murat Temple AAONMS and a past board member the Tarum Shrine Club. He is Past Sovereign Master of W. M. Avery Council No. 409 Allied Masonic Degrees, and a member of Robert A. Woods Priory KYCH, Indianapolis Preceptory No.4 Yeomen of York, Marvin L. Isley York Rite College No. 129, The Royal Order of Scotland, and St Basil Conclave Red Cross of Constantine,

He was appointed Grand Sentinel in 2002 by Grand Commander T. Jeffrey Conquest, elected Grand Jr. Warden in 2003 and installed the 147th Grand Commander of Knights Templar of Indiana on Apri125, 2008.