Dr. Gordon Ervin Stewart

1934 - 2017

June 25, 1934 - January 23, 2017 Dr. Gordon Ervin Stewart, 82, an aerospace engineer, sadly passed away on January 23, 2017, with his family by his side in Redondo Beach, California. Gordon was born in San Bernardino, California, on June 25, 1934. He initially went to junior college to be a TV repairman, but the school counselor recommended a different path. As a result, he obtained his bachelor's degree in Applied Physics at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1955, his master's degree in 1957 and graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Eta Kappa Nu. He continued his education and received a PhD in Electrical Engineering from the University of Southern California (USC) in 1963. He was very proud of his education and would always wear his UCLA class ring. Dr. Gordon Stewart, a Senior Engineer Specialist, worked 46 years at the Aerospace Corporation where he provided immeasurable contributions to the success of defense space missions. Dr. Stewart was very proud to work at the Aerospace Corporation and frequently stated that he couldn't believe he got paid to do what he did. Dr. Stewart loved being a research engineer specializing in electronics with plasma that built up during the reentry of the atmosphere. Also, he was Section Head of the Electronics Research Laboratory and the Plasma Research Laboratory, where experimental and theoretical investigations relevant to the Air Force were performed using plasma physics. Dr. Stewart designed the phase-scanning system for the first operational phase-frequency scan radar, which was mounted aboard the aircraft carrier, the USS Enterprise. He also worked with the design of antennas for spacecraft, and led the antenna and radio frequency research for blackout reentry for reusable launch vehicles for an FAA study. One of his dreams was to build a house, so he took an empty lot in Redondo Beach, and designed and supervised the construction of his own home. He often referred to it as his "castle." Gordon enjoyed being a resident of Redondo Beach and regularly went to the pier. In his spare time, Dr. Stewart acquired and managed several properties in California, Nevada, Virginia and North Carolina. He loved to travel, ski, sail, read, and garden. He also shared a love of Star Trek and Star Wars with his family. Dr. Gordon Ervin Stewart is survived by his three daughters, Catherine A. Stewart, Susan L. Stewart, and Carol L. Figueiredo; his son-in-law, Jorge G. Figueiredo; his beloved grandson, Marcos J. Figueiredo, and his nieces and nephews. Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, Hubert and Isola Stewart; as well as his brother Donald Stewart.