Date Of Birth: September 6, 1918
Date Of Death: May 26, 2011
Rev. Dr. Robert Stewart of Carmel, Indiana, died at 7:30 in his home
Thursday, May 26, surrounded by family members and caretakers. He was
ninety-two years young, and as recently as September, 2010, had
boarded a lobster boat which delivered him to an island off Portland,
Maine, to officiate his granddaughter’s wedding.
Always a man who believed in making a difference, Rev. Dr. Stewart
will be remembered for his commitment to family and faith. As a young
man growing up in Niles, Michigan, he was the son of a barber and one
of three boys in a Depression era family’s household; interestingly
all three young men later became ordained ministers, but Rev.
Stewart’s call was not immediate. After graduating from the University
of Notre Dame with a law degree in 1942, flying as a Navy bomber pilot
with the Flying Irish, and working in the FBI as a special agent, he
answered a call to the ministry. In 1952 he graduated from Louisville
Theological School and began to serve as a pastor.
Beginning as a pastor preaching to a small rural congregation
worshipping in a tiny community near Salem, Indiana, he served Beech
Grove Church. After receiving his theological degree, he moved to
Greenwood, Indiana, and served as the pastor of the Greenwood
Presbyterian Church; then moved on to serve as Field Representative of
the National Board of Missions.of the Indiana Synod of Presbyterian
churches, a position he held for two years. A love for the role of
parish pastor called him to answer a new challenge, and in 1955 he
returned to serve a group of one hundred dedicated people hoping to
start a new church. From that small group grew Orchard Park
Presbyterian Church in Carmel, Indiana; ten years later Orchard Park
had over 1,000 parishioners, and the time arrived for another new
challenge. In 1966 he was installed as the minister of Westminster
Presbyterian Church near Milliken University in Decatur, Illinois.
Serving as the pastor to the congregation, Rev. Dr. Stewart also
enjoyed and nurtured the musical connections between the church and
Milliken. Today a Milliken University scholarship bears tribute to
Doris and Bob Stewart. In addition, Rev. Dr. Stewart was nominated
and designated as Pastor Emeritus of Westminster.
Bob Stewart was a man who believed in serving both parish and
community, and he was very involved in numerous roles in addition to
the traditional roles of the church minister. In Decatur, Illinois,
he served on the Board of the Kimmerer Children’s Village, St. Mary’s
Hospital and the local Salvation Army. While in the Indianapolis
area, he was Moderator of the Indianapolis Presbytery, Chairman of the
Board of Missions, Vice President of the Board of Directors of the
Jordan Family YMCA, and a volunteer at St. Vincent’s Hospital in
Carmel and the Lighthouse Mission in downtown Indianapolis.
When most people retire, they slow down, not the Stewarts. While in
Decatur, Bob read a job advertisement in a ministerial publication,
applied and was hired as the chaplain for the Exxon community in
Aruba. For two years, home became the Exxon Compound; however,
longing for stateside called ,and the Stewarts returned to America to
accept Bob’s call to become a Parish Associate at Second Presbyterian
Church in Indianapolis. He served there until a second retirement
fourteen years later.
As dear to him as his faith was his family, and he was the center of
many milestones. He officiated at both sons’ and only daughter’s
weddings, baptized seven grandchildren, officiated at five of their
weddings, and baptized one great granddaughter. He leaves a legacy of
anniversary, birthday and graduation celebrations and a treasure of
handwritten notes of encouragement and laughter. Most dearly he
leaves a portrait of a loving marriage’s partnership of sixty-seven
years. He and Doris were a team; even their e-mail address of BODO
bears tribute to their commitment to each other.
Bob Stewart was a man who loved life and will continue to be a gentle
and reassuring presence in many ordinary parts of his family’s life:
the Notre Dame fight song( his phone ring), his favorite church hymn
“Be Thou My Vision�, and the sound of a strong, reassuring voice of
prayer.
His immediate family survivors include: his wife Doris; his two sons
R. Steven Stewart ( wife Pam) of Noblesville, Indiana: Dr. John
Stewart ( wife Jan) of Portland, Maine: his daughter Marcia Stewart
Breckenridge (husband Dan) of Rindge, New Hampshire; grandchildren
Robert Breckenridge ( wife Trish) of Keene, New Hampshire; Nathan
Breckenridge of Rindge, New Hampshire, Evan Breckenridge of Homosa
Beach, California; Nick Stewart of Indianapolis, Indiana, Molly
Stewart Murray ( husband Jimmy) of Chicago, Illinois; Anna Stewart
Turcotte (husband Joey) of Portland, Maine, Sam Stewart ( wife Dana)
of Austin, Texas and one great granddaughter Ava Stewart of Austin,
Texas. Also surviving are two brothers: Rev. Dr. Roy Peterson of
Michigan and Rev. Col Stephen Peterson of Texas.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bob and Doris Religion
Scholarship at Milliken University in Decatur, Illinois, or Rev. Dr.
Robert Stewart Endowment for Parish Ministry Students at Louisville
Presbyterian Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. A celebration of life
will be held Saturday, June 4, at Second Presbyterian Church.
Visitation will be 9:00 to 11:00 with the service beginning
immediately afterwards
Mary Kay and Vic Peck says
Bob was a really fine man. It was a privilege to have known him and be counted as one of his many friends. We will miss him a lot and send our condolences to Doris and all the family. Love, Mary Kay and Vic
Mary Kay and Vic Peck says
Bob was a really fine man. It was a privilege to have known him and be counted as one of his many friends. We will miss him a lot and send our condolences to Doris and all the family. Love, Mary Kay and Vic
Cherie Voege says
Doris,
What a delight to have worked with Bob at the hospital for many years. He always had the most pleasant smile and a warmth that drew people to him. He touched so many lives and his was truly a life well lived. We’ll miss him at Entrance 5 at St. Vincent. My heart goes out to you.
Cherie Voege
Tom Body says
I am so grateful that I had the privilege of getting to know you and Doris. You gave me encouragement and hope when I needed it so bad. Only God knows how many people were touched by your warmth, love, and Christ-like spirit. I will never forget you.
In Christ, Tom Body
Hugh Sinnock says
I first met Rev. Stewart when he and the family moved to Carmel. He made a huge impression on me, and I always looked up to him. What an amazing life of dedication, to his country, to his faith and to his loving family. He is a true American hero.
Gary W Griffith says
While I was an elder at the 1st Presbyterian Church in Noblesville, I had the privilege of working with Dr. Stewart when he was interim moderator of our session. After that first meeting he became one of my favorite ministers, his compassion, humor and intellect endeared his presence. He seemed to enjoy my warped sense of humor as well, when I came into the session budget meeting with an an axe to convey the message that the budget needed to be cut in order to balance the budget. He never forgot that small act. I always enjoyed his sermons when he graced our pulpit and I will grieve that I will no longer enjoy his presence until we meet again. I do however take joy in his life and his union with God.
Janet Perkins Rund says
Dear Doris and family, I still see Bob preaching from the pulpit and can hear his voice. I remember your beautiful presence in the life of the congregation. Along with so many from Westminster, I am so sorry for your great personal loss.
Janet Perkins Rund
Saugatuck, MI
Ann and Paul Lawrence says
Dearest Doris and your dear family,
Bob was God’s humorous, loving, wonderfully listening, always-a-kind-word angel on this earth to so many people. I especially am grateful for the many times he stopped by the nursing home to see my Mom, Betty Wood, and make her laugh and just sit and talk with her. When he spoke at her funeral, he lifted my heart when he chose the Bible verse, “Whom shall I send? Send me,” because of her numerous hours of volunteering. I think that God said that of Bob – “Whom shall I send to brighten and enlighten this Earth? I think I’ll send Bob Stewart to light up this world.” And did he ever light up all of our lives!
What a precious loved one you all have lost, what an outstanding minister he was to so many people, and just a gentle, loving, laughing, intelligent friend to the world. I am deeply grateful for his beautiful life. I hope God surrounds all of you with His healing and lifts your hearts on eagle’s wings as you listen to the ways he influenced so many people with his deep love. We send you all our love, Ann and Paul Lawrence
John and Jill Miller says
Our hearts go out to all of you at this time. May you find comfort knowing that your beloved husband, father, and grandfather has lived a good, long life and is now with God. John and I fondly recall his spirited officiating at Molly and Jimmy’s wedding and felt privileged to have met him that day. We can imagine that you must have many, many more memories to cherish of this very special man.
Love, hugs, and prayers to all of you,
John and Jill
Carol Hoffman McGuire says
My family had an interesting crossing of paths with Rev. Stewart and his family. While living in Carmel we enjoyed his comfort and friendship – he had a special relationship with my parents Irene and John L – and we five children learned of God’s graces at Orchard Park Presbyterian. It was a fortunate coincidence that he later moved to Westminster in Decatur Illinois where John L and Irene had grown up and married. He officiated my marriage to William McGuire thirty three years ago. There is no doubt that Rev. Stewart influenced my family with his loving kindness. God bless you all during this sad time. Irene and John L, John Jr., Thomas, Carol, Jeff and Janet Gaye.
Jo Ann and John Noland says
Our hearts are heavy as we remember Pastor Stewart who has made our world a brighter, better place.
With heartfelt sympathy to you and your family as we remember a life so well lived.
Jo Ann and John Noland
James Jenkins says
My late wife and I enjoyed every sermon we had the chance to hear Bob give. He honored us by officiating at our wedding, and co-officiated at my wife’s funeral. He was a warm, funny and kind-hearted man.
Linda Hull says
Dear Doris and family:
My late husband, Lew, was a friend and great admirer of Bob, as was I. They used to meet for coffee and discuss their wartime experiences and life in general. Bob officiated at our wedding in 1972 and kept in touch since. He called me after Lew’s passing and gave me such comfort recalling his experiences with Lew and his memories. We loved him as a pastor at Westminster and a friend and I will miss his Christmas greetings. The world has lost a caring, warm man. I hope you all will cherish your memories as I am sure you have so many in your family. I pray God will comfort and bless you all.