Ralph Semb

Semb was elected an Imperial officer of Shriners International in 1989, and he served as Imperial Potentate (president and CEO) and chairman of the Board of Directors in 1999-2000. As Junior Past Imperial Potentate in 2000-2001, he served on the Board of Trustees of Shriners Hospitals.

Semb owns and manages several businesses in the Erving area, including an apartment complex and a self-storage facility. He is president of French King Entertainment Center, which has been called one of the finest bowling centers in New England. This past year, he has repurchased the restaurant that he owned over 25 years ago. He is president of the International Candlepin Bowling Association, a member of the board of directors of the Massachusetts Bowling Association, and past president and treasurer of the Western New England Candlepin Bowling Association.

In March 1984, Semb recorded the highest single Candlepin Bowling String in the world, a 245, consisting of seven strikes in a row and completing the string with spares. He is also an avid skier. At age 6, he became interested in ski jumping and by age 15 was rated a “Class A” Ski Jumper. In 1960, he was named to the United States Ski Jumping Squad, trained in Europe and was a member of the 1964 Olympic Team in Innsbruck, Austria. In his spare time, Semb is a flight instructor in both single- and multi-engine aircraft. He also teaches instrument flying. He is a member of the board of directors of the Mooney Airplane Pilots Association Safety Foundation.

A Past Potentate of Melha Shriners, Semb has been an active member in the fraternity since he first became a Shriner in 1975. A member of Republican Lodge, A.F. & A.M., Semb is a 33^rd degree Scottish Rite Mason and an honorary member of the Red Cross of the York Rite.

Semb and his wife, Pat, who was employed at Shriners Hospitals for Children — Springfield before retiring, have been married for 21 years and have six children. Three of their sons are Shiners.