Dennis M. Stewart

1933 - 2014

Stewart, Dennis M. SAN DIEGO -- Dennis M. Stewart passed away peacefully January 16, 2014, with family at his side. Dennis was a longtime resident of San Diego, enjoying both the final years of his career and a long retirement here. Dennis was born in Los Angeles in 1933, the only child of Daniel Stewart and Edith V. Stewart (Bell). He attended Bell High School and Compton Junior College (Beta Phi Fraternity), before joining the U.S. Air Force in 1953. He served four years active duty as a pilot, then joined the Air Force Reserves, retiring as a Captain. In 1957, while on active duty in Honolulu, Hawaii he met and married Lois, his best friend, his partner in all things, and the love of his life. Upon discharge, and while holding down a variety of jobs, Dennis completed his B.A. at San Francisco State College. He then began his long career in the federal Civil Service, first as an air traffic controller with the FAA and then in personnel management with the Department of the Navy. Work advancements took Dennis and his growing family to Los Angeles, Anchorage, Atlantic City, Yokosuka (Japan), Philadelphia and finally in 1978, San Diego. There were many side trips along the way. He toured the most remote parts of Alaska in the early 1960s, and with Lois traveled all over Japan in the late '60s, attended the 1970 World's Fair in Osaka, visited Hong Kong well before the hand over, toured Europe, and made countless other trips. In 1988, after serving as Director of the Office of Civilian Personnel Management, Southwest Region, Department of the Navy, Dennis retired and began pursing a number of long-deferred interests. Among those, in 1992 and again in 1994 he participated in around-the-world air races, serving as co-pilot for his good friend Bob Reiss in Bob's A36 Beechcraft prop-jet Bonanza. He published a book about this experience, "Bonanza Around the World." Dennis was a founding member of the local wing of the Commemorative Air Force, a longtime volunteer at the San Diego Air & Space Museum, a member of the Order of Daedalians, an avid golf player, a great fan of classic movies, and an aficionado of Dixieland Jazz. He loved to play banjo, ukulele, or piano while singing along. Throughout it all, Dennis made and kept good friends. This is the mark of a life well-lived. Dennis was preceded in death by his wife, Lois. He is survived by his daughters Irene Stewart and Elizabeth Stewart, and their husbands Maurizio Mangini and Eric Krueger. He was deeply loved by his family and will be sorely missed. His quiet humor, his good sense and his strong character served as an example and a support to us all. The burial service will be held Thursday, February 13, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Dr., San Diego. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to either the San Diego Air & Space Museum or the American Cancer Society.