Merrick Wood "Bud" Stewart

On Monday, December 4, 2023, MERRICK WOOD “BUD” STEWART of Gaithersburg, MD, born in Rome, NY on May 10, 1923, passed away at the young age of 100. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 57 years, Patricia Eileen Marks Stewart, and his son, Michael Wood Stewart. Bud was the loving father of Barbara Ann Stewart Pomeroy and her husband Dana of New Market, MD; Patricia Ann Stewart of Annapolis, MD; Elizabeth Ann Buckley Stewart of N. Potomac, MD; and Gregory John Stewart and his wife Helen of Annapolis, MD. He was the loving grandfather of Teresa Robinson and her husband Daniel, Sarah Merola and her partner Stephen, William Buckley and his wife Andrea, Michael Buckley and his wife Katherine, Blake Pomeroy and his partner Kristie, Logan Pomeroy and his wife Kaitlin, Thomas Stewart and his wife Meghan, and Matthew Stewart. He was also the great-grandfather of Madigan and Aiden Robinson, Sophie Buckley, and Luke Merrick Pomeroy.

Bud was born in 1923 on a large farm in Rome, New York. His father David was a civil engineer and worked on the renovations to the Erie Canal where he met Bud’s mother, Laura R. Wood. The family moved to Baltimore in 1933 to join others from the Stewart family. The great depression had profound impacts to both the Wood and Stewart families. Bud moved to Washington, DC in 1938 and attended Roosevelt High School. He was active in photography and was on the swim team. Bud was interested in science and technology from an early age and attended the University of Maryland and obtained a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1947. He later obtained an Electrical Engineering degree from George Washington University in 1957. He continued further studies at UCLA and Boston College, always thirsting for more knowledge.

During World War II, Bud worked at the Navy Yard and John Hopkins Applied Physics Lab, which introduced him to his future career in the aerospace industry. He worked in Washington, DC until 1958, when the family moved to Orlando, FL to work in the space/defense industry at Martin Marietta Corporation. In 1966, the family moved to Thousand Oaks, CA where Bud joined Douglas Aircraft. The family moved again in 1969 to Andover, MA for a job at Avco Corporation, another defense contractor. The space/defense industry collapsed in 1971 resulting in Bud seeking a new career back in Washington, DC. Bud was employed at the District’s Water Co. where he spent his final years working until his retirement in 1990. He always spoke of his fond memories of working on the space program which helped land a man on the moon. He was a true rocket scientist!

Bud (Dad) always greeted us with a wonderful smile and a big hug when we went to visit him. He never complained about his aches and pains until they were very serious -- always looking at the bright side and not wanting to bother us. We were so fortunate to have him for over 100 years and we miss him dearly.

Friends may call at DEVOL FUNERAL HOME, 10 East Deer Park Drive, Gaithersburg, MD on Saturday, December 16, 2023 from 10-12 pm. Bud’s burial will take place following the visitation at 1:30 pm at the LORRAINE PARK CEMETERY, 5608 Dogwood Road, Baltimore, MD.