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STEWART BAIR Obituary
Age 67, of Pittsburgh, on Monday, December 3, 2018. Loving husband of Deborah L. (Wilke) Bair; son of the late Carl Edwin Bair and Olive Smith Bair; dear father of Renee, Stewart E. Bair, Jr and Joshua Bair. Stewart was a graduate of the Massanutten Military Academy in Woodstock, VA in 1970. Then he went on to Thiel College in Greenville, PA, graduating with a degree in History and Religion in 1974. Once his undergraduate degree was completed, Stewart would begin his theological studies with Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Massachusetts, but when he and his wife, Debbie, began having children, Stewart would put his studies aside. Stewart would spend several years in the banking industry before returning to seminary in 1986. Two years later, Stewart would earn his Master of Divinity degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Class of 1988. Then in 2008, Stewart would earn his Doctor of Ministry degree in Urban Ministry from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Stewart would go on to serve as pastor for several churches through the Presbyterian Church (USA) before retiring from the pastorate in September of 2017. In addition to his work with the church, Stewart would also served as a chaplain in many different ministries. Although, his work as a hospice chaplain was dearest to his heart. Stewart had dedicated most of his life to serving the Church of Jesus Christ, but he also had many other interests as well. One of Stewart's greatest passions was baseball, particularly the Pittsburgh Pirates. Stewart would take his love of baseball and apply it to coaching youth baseball for several years as well. He also loved trains. Not only did he enjoy taking a ride on a train whenever possible, Stewart also enjoyed collecting model trains as well. Of course, Stewart's greatest love of all was his savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. However, his second greatest love was indeed his family. Memorial Service 11:00 a.m. Saturday in Covenant Community Presbyterian Church 1630 Greentree Rd., Pgh., PA, 15220. Friends may call one hour prior to service at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations suggested to Foundation for Christian Counseling, 101 Pembroke Court, Greensburg, PA, 15601 (www.ccawpa.com) www.slaterfuneral.com
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Janet Ackley
January 20, 2019
I am so sorry hear about Stew, I loved working with him. Stew will be dearly missed
Kent Kretzler
December 18, 2018
Stew was my "roomie", my friend and most importantly, a person that I could count on. He will be missed. My condolences to his family. He was a great person . both in and out.
David Spor
December 10, 2018
Stew was a wonderful man - a great Pastor, family man, and friend. It was an honor to get to know him while he was at Tully Memorial Presbyterian Church. I know he touched many lives and we will miss him tremendously. My thoughts and prayers are with the Bair family.
Shirley Wellinger
December 6, 2018
To Stew's beloved family.... Oh the "loss" you bear at this moment with the passing of Husband, Father, and "Shepherd" of many...; Stew was gifted in many ways.. ; God Almighty used him in so many realms.. in the Vineyard of the Lord... ; I imagine the words from our Father.. "Well done, good and faithful servant.."... I pray peace and comfort on you all... a life well lived for his Savior, Jesus..
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Ruth and Rob Norbeck
December 6, 2018
Our deepest condolences to the Bair family and friendsI would like to share something;
I had a walking stick/staff made for his commencement May of 2008, Rev. Dr. Stewart E. Bair Sr. May 22nd 2008; this in part is the note I sent along with it. I feel it would and is how Stew was and seen by His makerThis may be long but it says a lot and has a lot of meaning behind it.
Stew,
This was hand made by a man named Sam, and I hope you love it as much as I do.
His daughter Cindy is one of my friends down here. He holds a carving class at the Cheer Center, and as you can see, he does wonderful work. It is made out of a piece of cedar wood, when he showed me the wood last year, IT WAS JUST A PLANK OF WOOD, and he turned into this beautiful work of art. You know, that is exactly what God does to us. He turns us into a new being, when we are Born Again. Everything has become new from the inside out.
Stew,
Just as Moses' staff was his Shepherd's staff, I pray that this staff/walking stick will be blessed by God. That He will continue to direct your path as you continue to raise your life, and work, to and for the Lord. May it remind you, that you too, are a shepherd tending a flock. You are God's Shepherd. You were called by God for His purpose in your life. I know you have been through a lot. It is hard to find anyone through out Christian history, that hasn't been tossed around in the stormy seas and valleys of adversity.
WE ALL NEED TO:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, AND HE SHALL DIRECT THY PATH. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Keep your eyes on the cross; stay focused there, for you have already said,Here I am Lord, when you were chosen.
(Romans 8:28) We know that in everything God works for good, to those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. and you were chosen.
(John 3: 30) He must become greater; I must become less. Let people see Christ in you at all times, don't be influenced by the world, and worldly things. Your treasures are being stored in heaven.
(Ephesians 4: 4-6) There is one body, and one Spirit, Just as you were called to one hope when you were called, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all, and in all. The Spirit lives in you, allow it to flow freely, and commune with God regularly.
Continue to work for the Lord, and you will someday hear Him say; well done my good and faithful servant; with you I am well pleased.
Give of your best to the Master !!!!!
This is where I would have ended this note months ago, but I read a devotional from Os Hillman in January 2008, and I felt lead to include part of it..something like a sermon from Stew. Please continue reading.
So Moses took his wife and sons, put them on a donkey and started back to Egypt. And he took the staff of God in his hand (Exod. 4:20).
When Moses was called by God from his forty years in the desert to lead the people out of Egypt, God first changed his paradigm about his shepherd's staff which represented his work life as a shepherd. God told him He was going to perform miracles through his staff.
A shepherd was considered a very lowly profession by the Egyptians. Moses had a time of breaking in the desert which separated him from all that he learned in Egypt. Many times, the way God calls us into His purpose in our work life is through a hardship of some kind.
God will often "break" our staff, or our vocation, in order to reshape and re-commission us. The purpose of the breaking is not to destroy us, but to bring us to a place of willingness to lay down our vocations so that God can use them for His purposes. The breaking prepares our heart for the new calling. God required Moses to lay down his staff in order for him to see it as something that had power. He had not viewed his work life as a shepherd as having any power.
God was instructing Moses to lay down that which represented his life and calling, so that He could transform it and raise it up for His purposes. Once Moses laid his staff down and then took it back up, a significant change took place. It was no longer his shepherd's staff; it was the "staff of God."
God's staff has power. After Moses' staff became God's, it was used as the instrument of deliverance and transformation for the people of God. It delivered people out of the slavery of Egypt through one of the most dramatic miracles of all time -- the parting of the Red Sea. Moses' staff transformed a people from slavery to freedom and was used to demonstrate his God-given authority.
How about you? Are you willing for God to use your staff to bring a people out of bondage? Stew would want each of us to be more like Christ in our walk each day.
He knew that we will always find peace, found within the scriptures, of God's Word. (When we are weak, He is strong. There is nothing you can't do together)
Thank You Stew for making a difference in my life and for being such a special friend. :~)
Love Ya,
Ruthy
December 6, 2018
My deepest sympathy to the family at this difficult time, may you get comfort and peace from Psm.37:29.
kk
December 6, 2018
You are not alone during this time of sorrow and pain. May God give your family strength and comfort to help you endure this loss. As you remember your beloved one, the God of peace give you comfort and peace in every way. May you find Strength from the love and care that surrounds you and comfort in the memories that you shared. Please accept my sincere condolences. IS 41:10
Jim & Marsha Lash
December 6, 2018
So sorry to hear that Pastor Stew passed on. He was a great guy and will be missed.
Marian Spor
December 5, 2018
I first met Stew when he came to Tully Memorial Presbyterian Church in Sharon Hill, PA as its Interim Pastor. He was very loving, caring pastor who led the church during a time of change after the former pastor retired. It was a pleasure to know him and work with him during this time. He showed and shared his strong faith to all. He is now home with the Lord. My condolences and prayers go out to his family at this time of loss.
Marian Spor
December 5, 2018
May the God of all comfort strengthen the entire family during this time of sorrow. Those who have died, God keeps in his memory because they are precious in his eyes. (Psalms 116:15) My sincere sympathy.
Andrew Johnson
December 4, 2018
Papa Bair (my 2nd dad),
I am grateful for you and your family for taking me as one of your own. Such a loving and caring man I am glad to have known and become friends with. Even though you are in a better place, this mortal world will miss you dearly. - Drew bear
December 5, 2018
May the bible help all to find peace and comfort. Also some hope to cope with the death of the loved one. PJW
Kathy Monteverde
December 5, 2018
I am so sad. I didn't know until now that Stew was gone. I can't believe this. He was such a sweet man with a wonderful laugh and a sense of humor. I missed working with him at caring hospice and now I will miss him forever. It just seems wrong that he isn't still with us. He was too young to have left us. Sending love and prayers to Stew's family. I am so sorry for your lost.
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