R. Stewart Eads

Stewart was born February 20, 1940 in Oak Park, IL, and grew up in Louisville Kentucky. He was the middle of three brothers, with Don the oldest and Doug the youngest. Stewart graduated from duPont Manual High School in Louisville in 1958.

Stewart earned a BS in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Tech in 1962, as well as a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Tech. During his undergraduate years at Georgia Tech, Stewart played on the Georgia Tech tennis team. Stewart earned an MBA from the prestigious Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

Stewart and Sara Jane Freeman married in 1963. Sara sadly passed away in 2024. Their first child, Stewart Jr., was born in 1967 in northern Virginia, and sadly passed away in 2021. Their second child, Matthew, was born in 1971 in Hartford, CT.

Stewart had a dynamic career, and his significant intellectual capacity was in high demand. After a brief stint working at NASA on Saturn V rocket engine projects, Stewart accepted a position in the Office of the Director at the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). His work on satellite telemetry and related duties helped the United States to win the Cold War.

Stewart shifted gears to the investment management industry. In 1972, he was hired by Boston-based Wellington Management Company and worked in the Atlanta office of their investment counseling division called Thorndike, Doran, Paine and Lewis. Stewart, holding the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, found himself in the company of some of the greatest minds of a rapidly evolving investment management industry; some of his research was foundational to modern investment management practice.

In 1987, Stewart left Wellington and partnered with Tom Heald to form Eads & Heald Investment Counsel (later rebranded as Eads & Heald Wealth Management). In the early years of the company, Sara worked tirelessly as a travel agent in order to help shore up family finances, allowing the new company to find its footing. Sara was central to the eventual success of the company for this reason.

Stewart welcomed son, Matt, into the business in 1993. Matt (also holding the CFA designation and an MBA) contributed notably to the company. Matt's work and presence allowed Stewart and Sara significant time for travel. Eads & Heald Wealth Management is now in its 39th year of business and continues to adhere to the investment management strategies and principles introduced by Stewart Eads.

Stewart and Sara met Gary and Peggy Harvey while Stewart and Gary were students in the MBA program at Wharton. As Stewart often said, the simple decision to attend a social function for new MBA students at Wharton resulted in a rare type of friendship and decades of wonderful experiences and memories.

In 1980, Sara told Stewart about an opportunity for our family to host some young French boys from Lyon, France. Stewart initially said “no”, but Sara said “yes”. So, naturally, the Eads family hosted the young French boys in the States many times. Matt and Stewart Jr. lived in France with the same family many times for extended periods. This incredible relationship provided priceless and sometimes truly unbelievable experiences for Matt and Stewart Jr. The strong friendships continue to this day, 46 years later.

Stewart loved traveling. Starting in the 1970's, Stewart, Sara and the boys began years of extensive travels around the globe. As empty-nesters later in life, Stewart continued to enjoy traveling. Ireland and Maui were two favorite destinations they frequented in later years. Stewart and Sara continued the globetrotting until their bodies would no longer cooperate.

Closer to home, Stewart loved Longboat Key (Sarasota), Florida. The venerable “Pequod” fishing boat provided Stewart with many happy memories of fishing in Sarasota Bay. As a child, Stewart had spent time in Clearwater, FL with his mother, Pauline; those trips were an important happy memory for him, causing the Gulf coast of Florida to be his true home, for body and soul.

Stewart loved Sara and his children. He loved his 7 grandchildren, as well as many other family and friends. Stewart is survived by his son, grandchildren, and other family. He will be missed by all. The family wishes to thank those who helped in Stewart's and Sara's final months.

A graveside interment of Stewart and Sara’s remains will take place on Saturday, November 7, 2026 at 11:00 am at Palms Memorial Park, 170 Honore Ave, Sarasota, Florida 34232, US.

After the interment, a lunch will be offered at a location to be determined. We are grateful for your prayers, stories, and quiet kindness.