Robert C. Stewart

Robert Clarence Stewart, 94, of West Hartford died on November 29, 2015. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Marilyn Ahlgren Stewart, his son Rob, of Lynn, MA and his adored granddaughters Emily and Abigail Stewart of Lynnfield, MA. His life passions were family and teaching. He enjoyed music and the theatre, reading, travel, Cape Cod and the Red Sox. Bob was born in Sharon, PA, on September 23, 1921, the son of Anna Benson and Clarence Stewart. He graduated from Sharon High School in 1938, valedictorian of his class. He earned an undergraduate degree from Washington and Jefferson College in 1942, and graduate degrees from Washington and Jefferson and Yale University in 1948. During WWII, he served as a Combat Infantryman in France and Germany with the 109th Regiment of the 28th Infantry Division. In 1950, Bob joined the Mathematics Department of Trinity College in Hartford. He taught at the College for 46 years, retiring in 1996. He was appointed the Charles A. Dana Professor of Mathematics in 1978 and for a time served as Head of the Mathematics Department. He was the first Ombudsman at Trinity, elected to that position by his colleagues. He was active in establishing the Trinity Poet-in-Residence Program. He served as advisor and teacher in the Trinity Individualized Degree Program, designed for students resuming their education after a hiatus. After retirement he tutored and mentored for 8 years in the Classical Magnet Program at Hartford Public High School. In 1986 he was the first recipient of the Thomas Church Brownell Prize awarded for Excellence in Teaching. The Robert C. Stewart Endowment Fund at Trinity was established in 1992 by faculty, former students and friends. Income from the fund provides scholarship assistance for students seriously considering a career in teaching. Calling hours are on Friday, December 4, from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. at the Taylor & Modeen Funeral Home, 136 South Main Street, West Hartford. His funeral is on Saturday, December 5, at 11:00 A.M. at the Trinity College Chapel, Hartford, CT, with a reception on campus following the ceremony. Memorial gifts may be made to the Robert C, Stewart Endowment Fund, Development Office, Trinity College, 300 Summit Street, Hartford, CT 06106. For directions and online condolences, please visit www.taylorandmodeen.com.