Louis Orian Stewart

January 1, 1915-March 26, 2002Lou Stewart was a man with a love for common people and widely diverse interests. Growing up in logging camps and during the Depression, Lou gained a vision of the great need for employment, education, and health care in this country and the critical role of government in protecting ordinary people. As a result, after careers as laborer, carpenter, contractor, bridge tender, and personnel officer, Lou found the love of his professional life as the first Education Director for the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO. He was instrumental in crafting many of the job safety, worker protection, job security, apprenticeship, education and health care improvements in Washington state. Although Lou completed post-graduate studies, he always thought of himself as a carpenter and was a member of Carpenters Local 1148. He fought for issues important to working people, despite any and all odds.Lou was instrumental in establishing Group Health Medical Center in Olympia. He later served on the Board of Group Health of Puget Sound. Lou pursued interests in art and culture through service on the Washington Centennial Commission and helped create lasting memorials to NW artists and history.Among Lou's greatest accomplishments were his contributions to development of Washington State's first civil service system, formation of the annual NW Labor History Conference, service on the Public Broadcasting Commission and KCPQ Channel 13 Board, and establishment of the Harborview Occupational Medicine Clinic. Lou continued to help workers after his formal retirement by serving on the State Marine Employees Commission, adjudicating Ferry system employee- management disputes.Lou was the brightest person we know. His love for reading was prodigious and renowned. He thrived on politics, labor issues, history, stamp collecting, books, music, model railroading, picture framing, and a huge number of other interests. Lou set a very high standard of integrity and performance, which served as inspiration to all who knew him.The love of Lou personal life was Helen Margery Hudson, whom he married in April 1946. They had five children - Cynthia, Erik, Craig, Philip, and Irene - and seven grandchildren. All are proud to have known this intense man and to have been part of his life. Lou lived to age 87 and fought valiantly against long-standing emphysema. Everyone who knew Lou admired his courage and his astounding will to live fully. We will deeply miss him.A celebration of Lou's life is planned for Saturday, April 13, from 1-4 p.m. at Jean-Pierre's Garden Room, 316 Schmidt Place, Tumwater. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be sent to the American Lung Association of Washington, Group Health Community Foundation, and Harborview Occupational Medicine Fund.