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Richard Stewart Obituary
Richard J. "Dick" STEWART Richard was born on May 30th, 1942 to parents, Ralph and Bernadette of Duluth, MN. As a young man, he found solace in running the trails of his hometown, a love his daughter would later inherit as an avid runner. He asked his future wife, Mary Ann, on their first date to an East High School Hockey game. They were inseparable for the next 46 years. Richard served as bench coach and never missed a game, no matter how far away, when his son took up hockey in Seattle. Richard was accepted to graduate school at three different universities in three different scientific fields. Stanford held the most attraction, and he and Mary Ann drove west to complete a PhD in Geology in 1970. He began that same year as a professor at the University of Washington. Geology was his passion; his doctoral thesis focused on the formation of the Olympic Mountain range, a large section of which he mapped. This research was followed up with fission-track analysis of sediments there and elsewhere to help us understand how and when these structures were formed. His wife and children fondly remember days spent driving forest service roads accompanying him on his research, though they readily admit that all the rocks looked the same to them. Richard deeply loved his wife and friend of 46 years, Mary Ann, his children, Anna and Ian and daughter-in-law, Christina. He was very proud of them. Richard is also survived by his sister, Frances Rasmussen and her four children, Sara, Geoffrey, Kristen, and Stewart, and friends, Chuck and Marie Hoffman. A Memorial Remembrance will be held this Sunday, April 23rd at 2:00 p.m. at the Walker Ames Room, Kane Hall 225, on the UW campus. Family and friends are welcome to come to a gathering at Ruby Beach on the Olympic Peninsula on April 29th. Please make remembrances to the Nature Conservancy.To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Richard Stewart
Sponsored by ESS faculty, students and staff.
Bob Ruble
July 7, 2018
While musing about roads not taken, connections lost and such, as one is wont to do late in life, an internet search brought me to this page and the sad news of Richard Stewart's passing. Reading the many warm remembrances of him gave me a glimpse of his life and loves. My condolences go out to his children I never met and to dear Mary Ann.
Ian Richard (Rich) Mayers
August 3, 2006
Dick Stewart was only 3 years older than me, and hence could have been an older brother. So I was shocked this week to belatedly learn that he had died (since returning to Canada, and the turbulent oil industry, in 1972, I have been mostly out of touch with the UW Community). His premature death is a sad loss to his family, friends and the geoscience community!
In the Autumn of 1970 I was in the early stages of my MS research dissertation. As that project was a seismic interpretation of the geology beneath the Strait of Juan de Fuca, done through the Geophysics Group and the Department of Oceanography, Stew Smith (then Head of the Geophysics Group) suggested that I consult, Dick Stewart. Dick he said was "a bright young prof., just arrived from Stanford, and whose research interest included the geology of the adjacent Olympic Peninsula". Well one discussion led to another, and before long Dick was on my thesis Supervisory Committee (along with Lee Bennett, Dept. of Oceanography; and Bob Burns, Dept. of Oceanography/NOAA). With their guidance, and Dick's constantly strong encouragement, I completed my thesis (it was later published in Marine Geology) and graduated in June, 1971.
So perhaps I might possibly be Dick's first graduated, graduate student at the UW ?! And a Geophysics MS, to boot! If so, that is a milestone that I would be proud to boast of, for he was a good friend and mentor when I needed one the most!
Being somewhat "burnt out", after that I worked for 7 months on the Geophysics Group's Staff (Bob Crosson's Team), and frequently saw Dick "down the hall" during that period. But then I "temporarily" left the UW at the end of January, 1972 intending to work in industry "for a few years" and then return, mentally refreshed and financially recharged, to the UW to continue studying for my PhD (hopefully with Dick's research involvement again, if he would have had me). Well a new family, mortgage, etc., etc. came between me and those plans; so I have not been back to the UW since the Summer of 1975! That was about the last time I saw Dick. Pity!
I never had the good fortune to meet Dick's family, but I would like to offer them my sincere condolence. Dick was a very good man and I was always proud to believe that he considered me "one of his students", and a friend. I share your loss!
Erik Reinert
July 8, 2006
Dick’s help was instrumental in the completion of my master’s degree at the University of Washington. He worked closely with me during my first summer quarter at UW to separate minerals for helium dating and taught me every step in the process of fission-track dating. Later, when the work was complete and the first draft of the thesis was written, his comments and suggestions vastly improved the final product. He worked more closely with me than any other member of my graduate committee.
I’ll always fondly remember my time spent working in Dick’s former laboratory in Johnson Hall. His lab had such a relaxing atmosphere. The large, south-facing windows let in the summer sunshine, he had numerous vintage photographs of the Olympic range mounted on the walls, and he always had a pot of coffee brewing on the counter. At the time, I often worked late hours, and ambled into the lab each day about an hour before lunch. Dick got me started with the day’s new step in sample processing and, several hours later, left for the day. He had already been in the lab since some time before 6 am. I felt like we were living in separate time zones, and was embarrassed of my late arrivals. He never seemed to mind, and usually chuckled when I arrived.
The last time I spoke to him was during a short trip to Seattle to visit another friend who was dying. I had only been away for a year, and was uncertain of some of the life choices I had made. Everything was so new at the time. His warm advice and pragmatic outlook helped me realize that I had made the right decisions. I was shocked to learn of his passing. It will be difficult to visit Johnson Hall again some day without Professor Stewart around. He was a true gentleman.
William E. Brooks
May 17, 2006
As a UW grad student in the early 70s, Dick Stewart simply pulled me into his wonderful world of sedimentary rocks, field geology, and teaching. My memories--struggling with tephras in his lab, his sand collection (now I have one of my own), seeing him stylishly fix his hair with a Brunton compass mirror in the 101 lecture, help in field camp in California, and most of all, he signed off on my degree and launched me on toward the next one. Great guy!
Sarah Hassler
May 4, 2006
I never took a class under Mr. Stewart but I did meet him once. I was looking for someone who might answer a question about an odd rock I'd had in my collection for some years. I wondered into his office and asked if he knew what it could be. He took the rock in his hands and looked closely at it for some time. He gave it back and said it was a rare formed quartz, nothing special, but indeed odd in how it formed. (Looks like white human brains.) I thanked him and left. I still have that rock and intend to keep it always.
Rob Palmer
April 27, 2006
Thanks to Dick's enthusiasm and patience, for he spent countless early hours teaching me how to count and interpret those magical fission tracks. He and I shared many stories relating to the wonders called the Olympics. I hope the "rubies" sparkle on Saturday.
Jelte Harnmeijer
April 27, 2006
Dick was one of the first people I met upon arriving on American soil over 3 years ago. I was desperate to hit the mountains, so he gave me his old 1960s mountaineering Guide to the Cascades & Olympics. I will never forget how we laughed when I returned from my first trip to Mt. St. Helens, and had found the Guide's description of the (non-existing) route, including the "beautifully symmetrical cone", to be far from the truth. (In my excitement I had failed to connect Mt. St. Helens with THE erupted Mt. Se. Helens that I'd only heard about as a child in Africa. "Some geologist", Dick said)
Dick was a great friend and colleague. We had much in common: petrology, politics, and mountaineering. He let me plaster "No Iraq War" signs all over his windows. Earth & Space Sciences will never be the same without him.
Jody Bourgeois (ESS professor)
April 23, 2006
Dick Stewart was my host during my job interview at UW in 1980. He walked me around campus, and hosted me for dinner at his house, where I remember a warm family home; Ian and Anna were just tykes. We sat around the kitchen making pizzas. Dick made me feel welcome.
Everyone knew that Dick loved the Olympics, and he was the go-to person for advice on field sites, etc. I still use helpful and entertaining notes he wrote for me recommending this and that locality. "Slip around Slip Point…" he wrote.
In our shared discipline of sedimentary geology, Dick and I were complementary, and he has participated in many of my graduate students' committees. I have been very moved by others' notes in this guestbook, particularly by the many testimonials from UW students. As these students are testifying, Dick played important roles in their studies and research.
Visitors to the department also have noted Dick's welcoming and helpful nature. In particular, my two visitors from Russia, Vera Ponomareva and Tanya Pinegina, have written notes about how much Dick Stewart meant to their time here at UW.
Dick had his struggles, and for me it took time and maturity to understand that. What I have come to learn, and what students' testimonials are showing, is that with struggle comes compassion, and Dick was a very compassionate professor--kind, unselfish, enthusiastic for others' work, inspiring, generous—these and other encomiums abound in this guestbook.
Legendary marathon runner Bill Rodgers once remarked (upon others' noting his heroic runs) that for him the real heroes were those who took four hours and more to finish the race—Rodgers couldn't imagine running for so long. Marathons didn't necessarily come as easy for these others as for the front runners, but they stuck with it. Dick Stewart was such a hero.
Vera Ponomareva
April 23, 2006
Three times I have come to ESS as a visiting scholar and three times Dick was there -- generous, unselfish, always ready to help. Dick was a wonderful colleague. His readiness to help, his kindness and attention made a new person feel comfortable in the department. My tephra (volcanic ash) samples – sometimes dirty, full of plant remains – which would be rejected with disgust by many mineralogists – looked fine to him and were accepted with true enthusiasm.
Morning hours, a cup of coffee in his lab, difficult mineralogical puzzles being solved – it was such a nice impression of a proper man in his proper place. Such a sad feeling that we had no time to discuss so many things.
In this world of more and more sophisticated techniques some people seem to think that scientific problems can be solved automatically, technically -- just a matter of using advanced equipment and software. Dick's example shows that a person with brains, experience, patience, care and attention to nature is still the most important tool in Earth science.
My task was to correlate tephra layers. With their help we could date various natural catastrophes like past tsunamis or volcanic eruptions. There were good colleagues who helped me to analyze my samples in various ways. But these analyses -- good as they may have been -- could not provide 100% confidence whether this ash and that ash were the same. Dick looked at my samples under the microscope -- as if they were the most beautiful things he had ever seen -- and step by step told me what is what and why..."Look," -- he said and showed me things -- and the whole story became clear. It was such a relief and a great feeling that such work as this was still being done and done well.
Dick managed to scatter so many invaluable gems necessary for our work in this remote land of Kamchatka that we will acknowledge his help for many years to come. We will miss him.
Matthew von der Ahe
April 23, 2006
Dick wasn't shy about telling me when I was wrong or about showing enthusiam while I was learning the right way to go. His integrity, generousity, knowledge, and wisdom were always plain to see. I didn't know I'd miss him so.
Ed Waddington
April 23, 2006
I knew Dick as a cheerful, diligent, and thoughtful colleague on departmental committees in Earth and Space Sciences at UW. His insights and concerns for our students are being missed already.
Noah Finnegan
April 22, 2006
Dick was a fantastic person to be involved in a research project with, and a pleasure to get to know personally. He was unselfish with his time, consistent in his follow through, and always warm. His joy for his work and enthusiasm for science were inspiring.
Ed Mulligan
April 22, 2006
I too will miss the conversations over a morning cup of coffee where we would reminisce about Duluth & UMD, or share stories about the latest foibles of life in the big university. I was very impressed by what Richard did in the last 5-6 years, assembling his digital video computer automated microscope lab on a shoestring budget, producing very good (& controversial) results. Good on you Richard for showing us that it can be done!
John Stone
April 21, 2006
Dick was a great colleague. He was unfailingly helpful; never bothered by a knock on the door, never too busy with his own work to help an undergrad , or a professor, with a question. He would express boundless enthusiasm for the work of others, while playing down his own. But once you learned to draw him out, he would gladly share insights from his tremendous store of geological knowledge. He always seemed to find both fun and satisfaction in whatever piece of work he had in front of him – surely as good an approach to life as I can think of. We will miss him.
Stewart McCallum
April 21, 2006
It's hard to believe that Dick's smiling face will no longer grace the hallways of Johnson Hall. We go back a long way and so many memories come flooding back. Dick was the consummate gentleman, kind, generous and compassionate. I will miss him sorely. Our deepest sympathy to Mary Ann, Ian, and Anna from the entire McCallum family.
Paul Umhoefer
April 21, 2006
As a PhD student at UW in the late 1980's Dick was a friendly and humorous and helpful colleague. But I did not know he was a Duluth boy - cool.
JoAnna Hornbostel
April 21, 2006
I always apologized to him for asking so many questions, but I loved to hear his passionate explanations and enthusiasm for his research. He somehow made sand interesting! :) He was one of the most kind people I've ever met and one of my favorite professors by far. For these things I'll always remember him. But I will miss his waves from down the hall, teasing him about drinking coffee in the lab, and chatting about sand over his daily PB and J. He will be sorely missed as a professor, an inspiration, and a friend.
Peg O'Malley (Stroh)
April 21, 2006
I remember Dick from the early days when he first came to UW in 1970. It's hard to believe he's gone. He was so full of the enthusiasm of youth and the revolution of those heady days and, from what I've heard from his colleagues and friends, the joy for his science only grew and matured with the passing of time. My deepest sympathies go out to Mary Anne and his kids. This is such a sad loss.
Mary Howerton
April 21, 2006
I am so sorry to hear of Dick's passing. I enjoyed learning from him and working with him, as well as just chatting about whatever. He will be greatly missed.
Karl Wegmann
April 21, 2006
I first met Dick on a NWGS trip to the Olympic Coast and Clearwater River basin in 2000. I feel I have a special research connection with Dick, as I did my M.S. work in the Clearwater, the same place he did his doctoral work in the late 1960's. Those who come after are the beneficiaries of the tremendous effort, insight, and hard work of those before us. Dick provided this for me in the Clearwater. He will be missed.
Amanda Henck
April 20, 2006
Dick was the committee member I could always count on to tackle my advisor's in the hall, track down packages I had mailed, and generally remember that I exist even though I am in China. He was a wonderful inspiration and amazing mentor.
Scott Kuehner
April 20, 2006
Wit, wisdom, generosity, kindness. All words that describe Dick. As a fellow Minnesotan it was always fun to share stories of our youth. I will certainly miss Dick.
D.Ellen McDannald
April 20, 2006
Dick was an early bird like me and many a morning we talked rocks to politics. He was insightful with a wonderful sense of irony about life. I will miss him very much.
Tanya Pinegina
April 20, 2006
I am very sad to learn of the death of Richard Stewart I have fond memories of times when I met Richard while staying for 5 months in UW as a visiting scholar in 1999-2000. It was a difficult time for me because my English was very poor. During all that time Richard was so much helpful and tried to understand my English. We discussed my PhD and he taught me sedimentary petrology. We talked about life in Russia and the US. I can say, that at that time of my life Dick gave me invaluable moral support. I will always remember Dick Stewart.
Tatiana Pinegina
April 20, 2006
I am very sad to learn of the death of Dick.
I have fond memories of times when I met Richard Stewart staying for 5 month in UW as a visiting scholar. It was a difficult time for me because my English was very poor. During all that time Dick was so much helpfull and tried to understand my English.
We discussed my PhD and he taught me sedimentary rock. We talked about life in Russia and US.I can say, that at that time of my life Dick gave me invaluable moral support.
I will always remember Dick Stewart.
Isabelle Sarikhan
April 20, 2006
Dick’s passing is a very sad loss, for he was a dear friend. Dick, an early riser like me, always was kind enough to offer a cup of coffee and discuss everything from world events, childhood, family, and geology. He challenged me at every turn and helped to expand my understanding of the world and geology. He was a perfect role model for me. Helping him with his research has been an honor and great learning experience and something I will greatly miss.
Lois Bell
April 20, 2006
I am so sorry for your sudden loss and will keep you in my prayers.
(Sandra's cousin)
Sara Mitchell
April 20, 2006
You could talk with Dick about anything from hockey and life in northern Minnesota to sedimentary rocks in Washington. He was a terrific mentor and friend. I will miss our conversations and his encouragement a lot.
Ron Sletten
April 20, 2006
Dick's passing leaves a large chasm, both professionally and personally. Dick's expertise in mineralogy and his eagerness to help were exemplary. In addition to working together, I miss sorely our early morning conversations. I am honored to have known Dr. Stewart.
Joy Laydbak
April 20, 2006
I never did get him those grain mounts I promised. I will miss running into him and random hallway conversation.
Kathy Troost
April 20, 2006
Dick was an inspiration to me, always sharing in my excitement over newly found tephra deposits. He always took time to help me with challenging geologic problems and found ways to motivate me when others had failed. The department has lost a valuable asset and the students have lost a tremendous resource and we all will miss his smile.
Eric Cheney
April 20, 2006
Dick was a brilliant, perceptive, and humorous colleage and friend. We miss him already.
Amber Hamilton
April 20, 2006
Dick was always so willing to help me with my grad work at UW. I will always remember his kindness.
Nicholas Hayman
April 20, 2006
Sorry to hear about Dick. I was a graduate student at UW from '97-'03 and benefited a lot from his kindness and generosity.
Lindsay Morgan
April 20, 2006
Dick was a great mentor and a nice guy to talk with. His smile will be missed.
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