George Stuart

George E.

Stuart

Barnardsville - George E. Stuart, 79, of Barnardsville, North Carolina, passed away at home on the morning of June 11. He was an internationally known archaeologist, educator, and author--specializing in the Maya culture -- who served the National Geographic Society in Washington, D.C., as its "voice of archaeology" for 40 years before retiring to western North Carolina in 1998.

The National Geographic Society (NGS) hired Stuart as a cartographer in 1960, following work in Yucatan among the Maya ruins. Over the years, Stuart served NGS as staff archaeologist, senior editor, and vice president. He wrote and edited many stories for the magazine and produced specialized maps. In 1994, he became chair of National Geographic's Committee for Research and Exploration which supports scientific projects through grants.

THE MYSTERIOUS MAYA (1977), written with his first wife, Gene S. Stuart who died in 1993, was perhaps his best-known book among eight titles about archaeology in the Americas; his last book, written with son David Stuart, was PALENQUE: ETERNAL CITY OF THE MAYA (2008). Some forty scholarly articles appeared over the years in professional journals.

Stuart received his PhD in 1975 from the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill where he was recently named a Distinguished Alumnus. Many awards came to him for his contributions to archaeology, including from Mexico and Guatemala. In 2006, his specialized 13,000-volume collection was presented as a gift to the Rare Book Collection, Wilson Library, UNC-Chapel Hill.

In retirement, Stuart remained active in a wide range of professional and educational areas -- writing, speaking, and publishing. He taught at UNC-Asheville, Warren Wilson College, Mars Hill University, and elsewhere. Always willing to talk to elementary school children, he often shared his knowledge at public libraries and community centers. Stuart's classes at UNC-Asheville's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute were always full and popular. He served on the NC Humanities Council, the board of Warren Wilson College, and many other educational and cultural organizations.

He is remembered by all who knew him, or heard him speak, for his extensive knowledge of the Maya, for his lively wit, and his extraordinary generosity. Friends around the world will miss his humor and unflagging support.

Stuart is survived by his wife, Melinda Young Stuart; by four children with his first wife, the Rev. George E. Stuart IV, Roberto Stuart; Ann Stuart, DVM, David Stuart, PhD; by one stepson, Jason Frye, PhD.; by five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

A celebration-of-life event is planned for August. Contributions may be made to George Stuart's nonprofit educational foundation: Boundary End Archeology Research Center, PO Box 220, Barnardsville, NC 28709. (www.precolumbia.org/bearc). A website exists for memories and condolences at www.CaringBridge.org/georgestuart/visit.