Richard A. Stewart

Richard A. Stewart, 82, of Meadville died Sunday, June 5, 2016 at Wesbury United Methodist Community.  Richard was known fondly by friends and family as “Dick”, “Stewie” and “Gee”.

He was born in Warren, PA April 26, 1934, a son of Edward Hyde and Mabel Rendall Stewart.  He married Mae Cook October 29, 1960 and she survives.

Dick was a graduate of Titusville High School (1952) and a graduate of Allegheny College (B.A. English, 1956 and M.A., 1966).  From 1956-1958 he served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps.  Dick began his first job in 1958 teaching English at Jamestown (NY) High School.  He then joined the Admissions Office at Allegheny College in 1960 as an Assistant Director.  Dick remained at Allegheny for the rest of his career, serving as Dean of Admission, Dean of Off-Campus and Special Programs and Director of Alumni Affairs until he retired in 1999 after 39 years of service to his Alma Mater.

Dick received with great humility the following awards and prestigious honors through the years: Pennsylvania Association of College Admissions Counselors Executive Board Award, 1987; National Association of College Admissions Counselors Distinguished Service Award, 1988; Middle States Regional Assembly of the College Board Bernard Ireland Recognition Award, 1990; the Allegheny College Robert T. Sherman Distinguished Service Award, 1997; the Allegheny College Alumni Award for eminent service 1999; the Robert Garbark  Memorial Alumni Award of the Allegheny College Golden Gator Club, 2004; and, together with wife, Mae, a service and commitment award from the Allegheny College Alumni Association of Black Collegians/Association for the Advancement of Black Culture, 2011.

A long-time dedicated member of Stone United Methodist Church, Dick served in a multitude of leadership positions, including Staff-Parish Relations Committee Chairperson, Church Council Chairperson, Lay Leader, and delegate to the Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. He also played in the Carillon Bell Choir and led various church studies.  Dick’s community involvement included serving on the board of the Meadville Public Library, membership in both Literary Union and Meadville Roundtable and active participant on the History and Heritage and Hall of Fame Committees of Allegheny College.

An avid sports enthusiast, Dick cheered the loudest for the Allegheny Gators and all Pittsburgh athletic teams.  There was never any question, however, that Dick’s greatest joy came from spending time with his family, attending sporting events in which his grandchildren were participating and playing golf with his sons-in-law and grandsons.

Survivors, in addition to his wife Mae of 55 years, include: two daughters, Lynne Herrman and her husband Jed of Scarborough, ME and Karen Mitton and her husband Greg of Allentown, PA; his Fabulous 4 grandchildren, Katy Mitton, J.D. Herrman, Alex Mitton and Jenny Herrman; two sisters, Joyce Overheim of Edinboro and Marjorie Gaul of Allison Park and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be Friday, June 24th from 4-7 p.m. at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, Inc., 581 Chestnut St., Meadville.

The memorial service will be Saturday, June 25th at 11 a.m. at Stone United Methodist Church, 956 S. Main St., Meadville with the Rev. Sarah Roncolato, Pastor, officiating.

Interment will be in Greendale Cemetery.

In  lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Richard A. Stewart Scholarship Fund, Allegheny College, 520 N. Main Street, Meadville, PA 16335 or Stone United Methodist Church, 956 S. Main Street, Meadville, PA 16335