Richard Dick Stewart

Richard “Dick” Stewart of Wethersfield passed away peacefully with his children by his side on Saturday, December 20, 2014. He was 78 years old. Born in Livonia, MI to John C. Stewart and Marjorie (Smith) Stewart, he was the third of four boys. He graduated from Bentley High School in Livonia and continued his education at the University of Michigan, earning a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. While in college he worked summers as a test engineer at Edwards Air Force Base. He then moved on to Douglas in Long Beach, CA where he was an in-flight test engineer. In 1963, he moved to Hartford to join Pratt & Whitney. He retired after a 36-year career, during which he worked as a manufacturing lead as well as an instrumentation engineer and supervisor. Dick was an avid hockey player for over 60 years and also loved to play softball, football and golf. He appreciated the arts, particularly opera. He was a generous man who donated his time as a youth hockey coach and his resources to a variety of charitable causes.

Dick was predeceased by his beloved wife of 37 years, Patricia (Gainty) and two older brothers, R. Bruce and John Stewart. He is survived by his son, Mark Stewart of Wethersfield, his daughter Anne Stewart, her fiancé Brian Pedersen, and his adored grandchildren, Bryn, Mia and Luke Pedersen of Columbia. He is also survived by his brother, Harold “Sandy” Stewart and his wife, Carol of Murphysboro, IL, as well as many cherished nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be Monday (December 29) at 10:30 a.m. at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Memorial Park, Rocky Hill. The family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday from 2-5 p.m. at the funeral chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Dick's name to the American Red Cross, 209 Farmington Ave., Farmington, CT 06032. To share a memory of Dick with the family, please visit www.desopo.com.