Stewart Manee Ledbetter

STEWART MANEE LEDBETTER VERO BEACH, FLORIDA/ MANCHESTER, V.T. - Stewart Manee Ledbetter, 76, died peacefully Nov. 5 with loving family by his side, following a three-year battle with cancer and an amazing life. Stewart was born in 1932, the younger son of John and Gladys Ledbetter of Scarsdale, N.Y. He was educated at Rollins College and Stanford University where he also earned an MBA. He was a proud member of Stanford's 1953 NCAA national championship golf team. He met the great love of his life, Sheila, at the Scarsdale Golf Club bowling alley, a story he liked to tell. They married in 1959 in New York City, and two days later boarded a ship for Europe. They lived in Neuilly-Sur-Seine, France during his service as First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, Finance Officer at SHAPE Headquarters. Back stateside, Stewart initiated post-graduate work in economics at Columbia, then started a family, residing in Greenwich, Conn. He worked as an investment counselor at First National City Bank, where he was made Vice-President by the time he was 35. But another scene change was soon to come. In 1971, Stewart moved his family to begin a new adventure in Vermont. He bought a real estate firm in Manchester, and started a home construction company. He relished more time with his children, volunteer work in his community, and golf club championships in Dorset, Manchester, Stowe, and Stratton. A new governor in 1977 offered Stewart his next challenge, as Commissioner of the state Banking and Insurance Department in Montpelier. It proved a time of major regulatory change, and he loved the work. Stewart also chaired several boards and commissions, including the Vermont Housing Finance Agency, State Housing Authority, and Rutland Regional Medical Center. In 1980, Stewart entered Vermont's Republican primary for the U.S. Senate. He bested five opponents but in the November general election fell just short. It was the nation's tightest Senate race of the year. Stewart soon returned to Manchester, and managed an investment brokerage firm for almost 15 years. He and Sheila made their retirement home in Vero Beach, Fla. where he was a member of the Community Church of Vero Beach, The Moorings, and Hawk's Nest Golf Club. Wherever he lived, Stewart made wonderful friendships. He was a huge presence, a reliable counselor, and a generous spirit. Stewart loved GradyWhite boat trips around Florida, and family summers in Vermont. He traveled across Europe, the U.S. and Canada, playing some of the world's best golf courses along the way, until illness started to take its toll. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sheila; two sons - Stewart, Jr. of Burlington and John and his wife, Heather, of Franklin, Mass.; a brother, Jack, and his wife, Rita, of Village of Golf, Fla.; and sisters-in-law Susan Vancil of Vero Beach and Julie Bennett of Delray Beach. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 3:30 p.m. in the Chapel at the Community Church of Vero Beach, 1901 23rd Street. Arrangements by Thomas Lowther Funeral Home, Vero Beach. Online condolences may be left at www.lowtherfuneralhome.c om. There will be no calling hours. A private burial is planned at the family plot in Greenwich, Conn.