Aberdeen: The memorial service for Robert "Bob" R. Stewart, 81, of Aberdeen will be 2 p.m. Friday, June 7, 2013, at First United Methodist Church, 502 S. Lincoln St., in Aberdeen. Pastor John Hisel will officiate.
Inurnment will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Military honors will be by Sidney L. Smith American Legion Post No. 24.
Bob passed away Tuesday, May 7, 2013, in Wendell, N.C.
Robert R. Stewart was born Feb. 12, 1932, to Roy and Thelma Stewart in Gettysburg.
He attended Aberdeen Central High School and was one of the first CHS athletes to earn nine letters at Central; three in football, three in basketball and three in track. Football: Bob started at end his junior and senior years. His teams won two ESD championships. Basketball: Bob was the starting center on the basketball team all three years. Their team won the state consolation his junior year, and won the State A Championship his senior year when the basketball team went undefeated. Bob set two scoring records: highest score in a single game and total highest score in all three championship games. Both records stood for 10 years. Bob was named to the "All Tournament Team" and also elected co-team captain by his teammates for his senior year. Track and field: In all three of his high school years, Bob won the pole vaulting competition at the Aberdeen Relays. In the state track meet, he was the runner-up in the pole vault all three years and placed second in the shot put as a senior. He also competed in the long jump, discus and mile relay. He was also inducted into the Aberdeen Central Sports Hall of Fame and the South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame.
Upon graduation, Bob earned a full basketball scholarship to the University of Colorado, and was captain of the basketball team his senior year. While at the University of Colorado, he received eight letters: four for basketball, and two each for football and baseball. He was inducted into the University of Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. He met his wife, Jackie Holder, while attending the University of Colorado, where he was in Sigma Nu Fraternity.
Bob was a lieutenant in the US Army and a company commander for two years. He also earned a LLB at the University of South Dakota. He was vice president, territory director for AFLAC Insurance. He was responsible for the sales efforts of the western half of the United States.
Together, Bob and Jackie raised five children: Robert R. Stewart Jr. (Connie), Richard H., John "Bill" William (Barbara), Elizabeth "Becky," and James D. (Lori).
In lieu of flowers, Bob's family prefers memorials be made in his memory to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, PO Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202.
Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home of Aberdeen is in charge of arrangements.
spitzerfuneralhome.com