Stewart, David W.

Pittsford: David W. Stewart, former CEO of Rochester Blue Cross, well-known Pittsford resident and father of five PCS graduates passed from this life on January 28, 2017 while residing in a long-term care facility in Sandusky, OH. He was 96. Mr. Stewart was a graduate of the University of Rochester where he met and wed Allison Fry, to whom he was married for over 50 years by the time she passed in 2004. Mr. Stewart gained National attention in the health care field in the 1970s when Rochester's Blue Cross initiated group health programs that caught the eye of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, who then selected the Rochester area as the National test site for newly formed Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs). Owing to Rochester's pioneering work in this area Mr. Stewart was invited to give lectures on the keys to HMO success to all varieties of audiences including government, university, and civic organizations.

During his thirty-six year tenure at Blue Cross from 1949 to 1985 David joined dozens of organizations and charities engaged in all aspects of health care and was the recipient of numerous awards including the following:

Justin Ford Kimball Award for Achievement, American Hospital

Association;

Distinguished Service Award, Genesee Region Home Care

Association;

Pioneer Award, National Hemophilia Foundation;

Ruth F. Wilson Award, New York State Home Care Association;

Goler Award, New York State Public Health Association;

Innovation Award, Rochester Hemophilia Center;

Hutchinson Medal for Distinguished Public Service, University of

Rochester;

Herman Biggs Award, New York State Public Health Association

He was an active skier at Bristol Mountain well into his 80s, and David's seemingly unbounded energy served his church and many local organizations.

David is survived by his children: David W. Stewart, Jr. of Thunder Bay, Ontario; Henry M. Stewart of Canandaigua NY; Nelson H. Stewart (Donna) of Richmond, VA; Jean Stewart Feick (John) of Sandusky, OH, and Douglas F. Stewart (Karen) of Arlington, VA; in addition to 9 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at Pittsford's First Presbyterian Church at 2:30 PM on Saturday, Feb 18, 2017. A memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Pittsford, 21 Church St. NY at 2:30 PM on Saturday, Feb 18, 2017. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Pittsford or charity of your choice.