Robert Stewart

Robert B. Stewart III, M.D., died November 2, 2018. "He was the nicest man in the world," according to Joanne P. Stewart. She should know - they were married for over 73 years. Joanne and Bob raised six children, Becky, Chris, Leslie, Eric, Barbara and Richard. They and their beloved outlaws, Steve, Beth, Bob, Karen, Ken and Diana; the grands, Lindsay and Sam, married-in Russ and the new generation, Oliver and Spence, will miss him. A native of Waterville, Bob embraced his home state, kayaking in summers, skiing in winters. He enlisted in the United States Navy shortly after the U.S. entered WWII and served four years. He was grateful to have been selected for a Victory program which made him a doctor. During the Korean War he returned to the Navy for four more years, primarily serving as a ship's surgeon. After his honorable discharge at the rank of Lt. Cmdr., he and his growing family moved to Michigan where he was in private practice for many years. Upon his retirement, Bob and Joanne returned to Maine, delighting in October's bright blue weather. Robert read throughout his life, especially enjoying the works of Robert G. Ingersoll. He and Joanne embraced Ingersoll's creed: "Happiness is the only good. The place to be happy is here. The time to be happy is now. The way to be happy is to help make others so." Their six children and the families they created benefitted from this. Only weeks ago, the great grandchildren were seen grinning as Robert gave them rides in his rolling walker. The family will gather later for a private event. Bob wouldn't tell you what to do unless you were about to turn into oncoming traffic. If you're looking for a way to honor him perhaps the best thing would be for all of us to be kind. He was.