G. Arthur Shoemaker 

G. Arthur Shoemaker was born in August 1946 in Grand Island, Nebraska, the oldest child of George A. and D. Lucille Shoemaker. The family moved to Idaho in December 1947, living a short time in Nampa before buying a farm in Melba. In 1959 the family moved to a farm East of Weiser. Art attended grade school in Melba and graduated from High School in Weiser in 1964. He attended the University of Idaho and graduated with a B.S. in Agricultural Engineering in 1969.

Art met and dated Sandi Emert while in High School. They were married in April 1967. They have 3 boys; Phillip K. (Brandi), Jeffrey A. (Amber), Gregory A. (Brianna) and 4 grandchildren Ashley, Noah, Gavin and Emery (ages 17 to 10).

While attending the U of I, Art began working for USDA Soil Conservation Service in the summer of 1965 and upon graduation went to work full time as an Agricultural/Civil Engineer. During Art’s 38-year career he was in Salmon, Weiser, Montpelier, Pocatello, Boise (3 times) and Troy, Idaho and Salt Lake City, Utah. Art served as State Conservation Engineer for Utah from 1986 to 1995 and State Conservation Engineer for Idaho from 1996-2004. Art retired from the USDA Natural Resources Service in December 2004. After retiring from USDA, Art did consulting work with the State of Idaho Department of Agriculture, for various Soil and Water, Drainage and Irrigation Districts and Trout Unlimited on a variety of water quality related projects in southwestern Idaho. Art and Sandi have resided near Nampa since their return to Idaho in 1996.

Art was initiated, passed and raised in Oriental Lodge #60 in 1980. He was Worshipful Master of Oriental Lodge #60 in 2008. He joined the Order of the Eastern Star in 1981 in Boise Chapter #65. Art and Sandi now are members of Boise Chapter #65, Rob Morris Chapter #63 and Lorraine Chapter #20. Art has served as Worthy Patron several times in the various Chapters and served as Worthy Grand Patron of the Grand Chapter of Idaho OES in 2002-2003.

Art joined the York Bodies in Salt Lake City in 1989. After returning to Idaho, he transferred has membership to the Boise York Rites Bodies. He served as Excellent High Priest of Boise Chapter #3 Royal Arch Masons in 2008, Illustrious Master of Utah Council #1 in 1994 and Commander of Idaho Commandery #1 in 2003 and currently is the Secretary/Recorder for the Boise York Rite Bodies. He served as Right Eminent Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Idaho in 2010-2011, Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Council Cryptic Masons of Idaho in 2016-2017 and Most Excellent Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons in 2022-2023. Art has been serving as Grand Treasurer of the Idaho Grand Council and Grand Commandery since 2018 and the Idaho Grand Chapter since 2023.

He is a Past Puissant Sovereign of St Michaels Conclave Red Cross Constantine, Past Prior of Idaho Priory #13 KYCH, Past Governor of TRI-Valley York Rite College #178 and Past Preceptor of Redemption Tabernacle XL HRAKTP. He has served as Intendant General for Idaho for the UIGC Red Cross of Constantine since June 2017. Art is also a Past Dad Advisor forIdaho DeMolay and a Past Associate Guardian of Bethel #48 for Jobs Daughters.

Art was appointed Grand Chaplain for the Grand Lodge AF&AM for 2007-2008 by MWPGM Robert B. “Pete” Cargill and was appointed Junior Grand Steward by MWPGM Richard E. Kaiser in 2008. He served as MWGM of Masons in Idaho 2014-2015. He was appointed acting Grand Treasurer in May2023 by MWPGM H. Sherman Burger, IIII. He was elected as RWGT at the September 2023 Grand Lodge Session.
Art joined Boise Valley Scottish Rite in 1981 and received the investiture of 33 Degree in October 2021. He is also a member of El Korah Shrine.

Art and Sandi enjoy traveling, seeing new places and spending time with their family, especially their grandchildren.