Stuart E. Houston

1949 - 2025

Stuart E. Houston

April 25, 1949 - August 16, 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Stuart E. Houston, who died on August 16, 2025, at the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville, VA. He was born on April 25, 1949, in Atlanta, GA, to Charles Edwin and Helen Estes Houston, now deceased.

Stuart enjoyed an illustrious 51-year-long career as a respected and effective lawyer specializing in trust law, estate planning, and tax law. He was admitted to the bar on his first try in 1974 and practiced in Maryland and the District of Columbia, and was permitted to practice before the United States Tax Court, where he oversaw the Chamber of Commerce for the US Tax Division. He was a partner in the practice of Smuck & Houston and Peters and Houston and was still practicing at the time of his death at Martingale-Hubbell. He held life-long memberships at the District of Columbia and American Bar Associations.

Stuart was deeply committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Philanthropy was a cornerstone of his life and values. Together with his late wife, Betsy, Stuart began supporting UVA Health by funding opportunities for medical fellows and students specializing in gastroenterology and interventional radiology to travel and present their research at national and international conferences. Supporting the next generation of physicians and scientists was especially important to him.

This legacy of giving continued in 2019 when Stuart married Dawn Houston, a nurse practitioner who retired after a career in medical management. Over the years, the couple has made significant contributions across UVA Health, including to the School of Nursing, the Transplant Patient Assistance Fund, the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, UVA Health Children's, the UVA Child Health Research Center, and the UVA Midlife Health Center. "Gratitude and joy inspire the desire to give," Stuart once remarked.

Most recently, Stuart and Dawn made a gift to support pediatric patients in the children's hospital inpatient unit-providing resources for holiday celebrations, birthday gifts, decorations, and more to brighten the lives of young patients during their hospital stay. "Dawn and I are grateful that we have the ability to make gifts that bring joy to sick children." The Houstons' philanthropy extended to other programs at the University of Virginia, including the Jefferson Trust and the Rare Book School.

At the time of his death, Stuart was the beloved spouse of Dawn Houston, stepfather to Jeremy and David Hayes, and grandfather to Hunter and Maggie Hayes. He is survived by his sisters, Nancy Houston Walter (married to Norman Edwin Walter of Poolesville, MD) and Carol Houston Anderson (married to David Mecklenburg of Gaithersburg, MD); and his nieces, Amanda Shores Davis (married to Mark Davis), Clare Anderson; and his nephew, Craig Houston Anderson.

Stuart also leaves behind an untold number of friends and professional associates.

He was truly loved by many and will be missed by all.