Stuart Lessing Weiss

Stuart Lessing Weiss

Writer, educator, activist, & philanthropist, passed peacefully in his home on March 21, 2014 in Las Vegas, NV. He was much loved by family & friends for his open-mindedness, interest in world affairs, his intelligence, & his pursuit of civic equality & justice. He shared his lifelong passions for history, sports, travel, good writing, and good food with everyone he met.

Born on March 2, 1932, in Chicago, IL, Stuart grew up in Grand Rapids, MI, the son of Moses & Edith Weiss. Graduating from the University of Michigan, he continued his academic pursuits at the University of Chicago where he was awarded a Phd. degree in American History. In 1963 he accepted a professorship in American History at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville; a post that he held until retirement in 1988.

A lifelong scholar, his publications include two books: The President's Man-Leo Crowley and Franklin Roosevelt in Peace and War and The Curt Flood Story: The Man Behind the Myth. Additionally, he published many articles which appeared in peer reviewed journals. A prolific writer, he contributed regularly to op-eds as he loved to debate current events and to apply history's lessons there.

He was politically involved beginning with Civil Rights and Anti-Vietnam War activism in the 60s and continuing currently through the present.

Always generous & concerned about the welfare of others, he established the Weiss Foundation Scholarship for Disadvantaged Students at SIUE in 1980.

Survivors include loving wife, Rita Diedam Weiss and dear sister, Meredith Weiss Miller; children, Vanessa, Stephanie, Valerie, and Veronica; preceded in death by son, Matthew Weiss. He was the cherished grandfather of Andrew Wood, Ryan Shea, Madeleine Shea, and Raffaele Villa and great grandfather of Kelsey & Victoria Wood.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in memory of Stuart be made to Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth (702-383-1332).