Rev. Robert E. Stewart

A CELEBRATION OF LIFE FOR REV. ROBERT EUGENE STEWART

Respected and loved, Bob was a minister and friend who cared for and impacted the many people he encountered along life’s journey. Our beloved Bob, Dad, Grandpa passed away peacefully on June 21, 2021, at the age of 82. Robert Eugene Stewart was born on August 9, 1938, at the home of his paternal grandparents and was the only child of Joe and Georgia Stewart. He grew up in Kansas City, Kansas graduating from Wyandotte High School in 1956. Bob knew early in his life that he wanted to help people and began this mission by working on an ambulance during his high school summers. He attended college at Phillips University where he met the love of his life, Vicki. He graduated from Phillips with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Upon his graduation, Vicki and Bob married and began their journey together that lasted over 60 years.

Out of college, Bob served Kidder Christian Church Disciples of Christ (DOC) as a part-time minister. He then left Kidder to enlist in the Army National Guard. He proudly served his country for 4 ½ years; and on weekends, worked as a Youth Minister at Swope Park Christian Church (DOC). While in the National Guard, he received a commendation for providing first aid to a heart attack victim. During this time, Bob and Vicki started their family. In 1964, Bob was called to serve Chelsea Park Christian Church DOC in Kansas City as their full-time minister. In May 1968, Bob completed his seminary work, receiving his Master of Divinity degree from Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Kansas, and he was ordained at Sunset Hills Christian Church (DOC).

Also in 1968, Bob accepted a call to be an Associate Minister at Downey Avenue Christian Church (DOC) where he served until 1974. At Downey Avenue, he began his lifelong work in ecumenical and inclusive programs. He expanded the children and youth programs including an ecumenical summer camp program involving four other denominations. He also formed a “Breakfast Club” for high school youth that met on Friday mornings before school. During his time in Indianapolis, he was a part of the Structure and Function Committee that helped shape the area and regional system for Disciples of Christ as it became a denomination.

Bob accepted a call in 1974 as Area Minister for Tres Rios which included West Texas and New Mexico. There he served 37 congregations, was a minister to ministers, and was proud to raise money and oversee the completion of a new campground near Carlsbad, NM to support youth and educational programs. He also worked with a church and boys’ home in Juarez, Mexico. While in the Tres Rios Area, Bob continued his lifelong ecumenical work with a diverse group of Bishops and Executive Ministers.
In 1987, Bob accepted the position of North Texas Area Minister supporting 75 churches, their ministers, and the campgrounds in Athens, Texas. In honor of his lifelong commitment to camp ministry, a new building, Stewart Hall, will soon be built at Disciples Crossing in Athens, Texas. Bob sought out opportunities to pray with and learn from individuals from many denominations and faiths. He was an active member of the Sons of Abraham, an interfaith group of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim men that focuses on commonalities and mutual understanding. In North Texas, he helped establish an ecumenical group of Bishops and through this group became involved in the Focolare Movement. One of the highlights of this involvement was his participation in the sixteenth ecumenical meeting of Bishops and Friends of the Focolare Movement held in Rome in 1997 with representatives from around the world. The trip culminated with a special audience with the Holy Father, Pope Saint John Paul II. Throughout his career, he served on several boards including Brite Divinity School and Juliet Fowler Home. He mentored students at Brite Divinity School through Theological Reflection groups and developed and taught courses to educate minister groups on ethical ministerial practices.

After 39 years of active ministry, Bob retired in 2003 but accepted a position as Interim Co-Regional Minister in Fort Worth, Texas where he served for 10 months. Also in 2003, Bob and Vicki built a home in Arlington, Texas. Both of their children and their families live just minutes away which is a great blessing. During retirement, Bob spent as much time as possible with his four grandchildren that he loved dearly. He enjoyed driving them to school and special events as well as listening to their daily stories. You can see his influence on his grandchildren as one is an ordained minister, one a registered nurse, one an elementary school teacher, and one is finishing his degree in Psychology. Bob and Vicki spent several years traveling in the country, as well as abroad. When health dictated a need to stay closer to home, they enjoyed reading, working on genealogy, and going to movies and theater productions. The entire family attends Rush Creek Christian Church (DOC) in Arlington, Texas where they have participated in a variety of worship, study, and recreational groups. Church and family were always a priority to Bob and that was apparent in the life he lived. A friend said that if you wanted to understand Jesus’ message to love your neighbor, you just needed to know Bob. He cared for everyone he met and in return was loved by people of all different faiths and backgrounds.

Bob is survived by his wife, Vicki, and their children, Robert Stewart, along with his wife, Sharon, and Shawna Molinar, along with her husband, Gilbert Molinar. His four adored grandchildren are: Joseph and Rachel Stewart and Madelyn and Robert Molinar. He is also survived by five first cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe E. and Georgia E. Stewart.

The family would like to thank Dr. Christopher Norris for his excellent care and friendship, as well as Angel, Trudy, and Roxie and all the staff from DaVita for their dedication and compassion. We also give thanks to Heart to Heart Hospice for their guidance and support during Bob’s final days.

MEMORIAL SERVICE: Saturday, July 10 at 3:30 pm at University Christian Church, 2720 S. University Drive, Fort Worth. Prior to the service, at 2:00 pm, there will be a time for sharing stories about Bob Stewart in the fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Disciples Crossing New Beginnings Capital Campaign (Stewart Hall) https://www.disciplescrossing.org/newbeginnings or Rush Creek Christian Church (DOC) at 2401 SW Green Oaks Blvd, Arlington, Texas 76017 http://rcccdoc.org/ .