Donald More Stewart

Donald More Stewart passed away peacefully on July 19, 2025 surrounded by family. He lived a long and full life of love and laughter, using curiosity and strength to meet the challenges he encountered. Born in New York City on June 11, 1942, Don was interested in almost everything, always seeking to learn, delighting in family, constantly wielding a wicked sense of humor, and always on the move.

He graduated from The Gunnery in Washington, Connecticut and was the third member of the Stewart family to graduate as an electrical engineer from MIT (1964). While attending Harvard Business School he met Elizabeth Allan Gunther. They married in 1966 and she joined him as he fulfilled his military obligation at the United States Navy Mine Defense Lab in Panama City, Florida. Their first child, Catherine More Stewart, was born in 1968 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida.

Don and Elizabeth returned in 1968 to Boston where Don joined Teradyne, Inc. to work in the new field of computer-controlled test equipment. Douglas Russell Stewart was born in Boston in 1970, just before Don was transferred by Teradyne to cover sales in Washington, D.C. and northern Virginia. While there, Elizabeth eyed medical school and Don said “Go for it!” He remained supportive throughout her medical training and career and its long hours, taking care of the kids and making dinners, all the while adjusting his career to ensure her success. Their third child, Bruce Gardner Stewart, was born in Washington, D.C. in 1973.

Now a lively group of five, the family returned again to Boston in 1981 where Don pursued sales and marketing for Teradyne prior to starting a consulting business. In between business trips to Japan and other far-flung locales, Don led Weston Boy Scout Troop 157, using his boundless knowledge and enthusiasm to help guide both Douglas and Bruce to the rank of Eagle Scout. He frequently puttered in his downstairs workshop fixing household items that had broken, making and refinishing furniture, and doing fun projects with his kids. At one point, he used his welder to make a go-kart for Douglas and Bruce, repurposing a lawn mower to power it.

He worked tirelessly to obtain proper education for Kate, who has special needs. He was extensively involved with the Charles River ARC (now Charles River Center) for years, helping to advocate for those with mental disabilities and their families, ultimately serving for two years as President.

As a consultant, Don found that his “most important task was to figure out what you do, i.e., plan. It is not easy.” He spent the remainder of his working years successfully teaching companies to create roadmaps for success. He was active in a few professional organizations, most notably the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers). ln retirement, he expanded his interest in renewable energy and sustainability, helping the town of Weston power its administrative buildings with solar panels placed on a slope in the town Transfer Station, and heating his new home with geothermal energy.

When he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, Don rose to the challenge with his characteristic energy, enrolling in clinical trials to help build scientific knowledge. As was his nature, he remained optimistic even as his Parkinson’s advanced, always choosing to look on the positive side of life.

Don is survived by his wife of 59 years Elizabeth Gunther Stewart and their three children, Kate, Douglas and Bruce; Douglas’ wife Diane Cordray and their children Madeleine (Moosie), Caroline, and Henry; and Bruce’s husband Brian Chuang and their children Brendan (Wei Wei) and Bryson (Yao Yao). Don is also survived by his brother Barry and Barry’s three daughters, four granddaughters, and one great-grandson; he is pre-deceased by Barry’s wife, Sandra. He was pre-deceased by his brother Robert and is survived by Robert’s wife, Irene Aja Stewart and their two children and four grandchildren.

A celebration of his life will be held at St. Anne’s in-the-Fields Episcopal Church, 147 Concord Rd.,   Lincoln, MA on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at 10:00 AM. A reception will follow.

For those who wish to attend services remotely, please visit the livestream link:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR-UCjvfph6olyQB53n2sEA

Donations in his memory may be made to:
The American Parkinson Disease Association,
P.O. Box 61420
Staten Island NY 10306,
https://www.apdaparkinson.org/

 or

The Charles River Center
59 E Militia Heights Dr.
Needham, MA 02492-1341,
https://www.charlesrivercenter.org/

Arrangements under the care of Concord Funeral Home, 74 Belknap Street, Concord, MA 01742  978-369-3388 www.concordfuneral.com