Stuart Elwing

1955 - 2014

Elwing, Stuart

Stuart F. Elwing II, 58, of Campbellsport passed away Wed. Jan. 15, 2014 at St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac. He was born June 26, 1955 in Fond du Lac, the son of Stuart and Margaret (nee Hoffman) Elwing.

Stu was graduated as the Class Salutatorian from Campbellsport High School in 1973. He received a Congressional Appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD from which he was graduated and Commissioned as an Ensign in the US Navy in June 1977.

Following commissioning Stu embarked upon what he planned to be a Naval career and served as a "Black Shoe" Surface Warfare Officer. His years of service saw him make multiple deployments through the North Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean and the Caribbean Seas onboard the USS Connole (FF 1056). His duty stations included Newport Rhode Island and Bath, Maine. Stu was assigned to Newport twice during his active years of service; the first when the Connole was homeported from there, and the second when he was selected to be an instructor at the Surface Warfare Officer Department Head Course. Unfortunately Stu's Naval career ended much earlier than planned when he was medically retired with service-related injuries in March 1984.

Stu returned to Campbellsport and shortly thereafter partnered in business with his father as they formed "Stuart F. Elwing and Associates." They traveled the Midwest as Factory Representatives for several long-standing business associates representing their lines of brooms, brushes and deerskin products.

As Stu's illnesses progressed he became less able to travel, so he acted upon his long-time passion for model railroading and went to work, health permitting, at West Bend Hobbies. It was during this time that he perfected his model railroading skills and became interested in still-life photography, a talent which he perfected for the next 20+ years.

Stu was an expert pistol shot, skilled trapshooter, waterfowl and upland bird hunter; all skills learned from his Father and shared with the entire family and many friends. Stu followed in his father's footsteps as a volunteer Hunter Safety Instructor, recently completing his 18th year. Stu's love for the Navy and sailing the high seas became one of his greatest pleasures in last ten years of his life. He joined a sailing crew as part of the MAST Racing Club out of Milwaukee and during sailing season, weather permitting Friday's found him manning a post onboard a friend's sailboat either actively racing or simply enjoying an evening on Lake Michigan.

Stu faced and persevered over many personal and medical issues through his life. He touched 100s of people and sponsored a great number through his service with Alcoholics Anonymous. Stu battled his own drinking issues and was - quite proudly - sober for 16 years at the time of his death. He serviced the AA Community as a volunteer at the local, state and National level, ultimately being elected as a Wisconsin State Delegate to the National organization.

Stu battled cancer for the past two years. He succumbed to it and peacefully went to rest on his own decision not to be prolonged on life support. His decision, carried out as Stu wanted it. God Bless him as he now rests in peace.

Survivors include his mother Margaret of Campbellsport, his brother David (Kathy) Elwing of Woodbridge, VA, his nephews Daniel and Jacob, other relatives and friends. Stuart was preceded in death by his father Stuart and his maternal and paternal grandparents.

Funeral services will be held on Monday Jan. 20th at 1:00 PM at the Campbellsport United Christian Church, 228 Forest St. Campbellsport. Rev. Paula Anderson will officiate with burial in Union Cemetery, Campbellsport to follow with military services.

Visitation will be Monday Jan. 20th from 11:00 AM until time of services at the church. Memorials are appreciated to the Campbellsport United Christian Church and Alcoholics Anonymous. Twohig Funeral Home is serving the family with online guestbook and condolences at www.twohigfunerals.com.