Mr. Lance R. StewartCullum: 25590 Class: 1965 Cadet Company: E2 Date of Birth: October 14, 1942 Date of Death: March 19, 2015 Died in Las Vegas, NV Interred: Cremated - disposition to be determined - View or Post a Eulogy |
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Lance Ray Stewart was born October 14, 1942 in Sterling, CO to Ray Philip and Frieda Eudora Smith Stewart. He had two brothers (who predeceased him) and two sisters. Lance graduated from McLean High School, where he received acclaim as “best dressed” in 1960. He was also known as a high achiever and was appointed at large to the United States Military Academy, which he entered on July 5, 1961.
Lance was a respected and talented cadet. His dedication and accomplishments during his first three years led to his selection as the operations officer for the Second Regiment during firstie year—one of the more prestigious positions in the cadet organization.
While at West Point, he was actively involved in the Hop and Activities Committee, Public Information Detail, Portuguese Language Club, Howitzer, The Pointer, Catholic Chapel Choir, radio station KDET, and National Debate Tournament activities.
A Company E-2 classmate recalled, “I remember Lance as a ‘model cadet.’ Not only did he look like he was ‘type cast’ into the part, but he acted that way too. He was full of energy. He was at once serious and funny, and smart too. Many of us thought that he was headed for great things in the Army.” The observation accompanying his photo in the Howitzer yearbook read, “To know Lance is to know dedication and clarity of purpose. His devotion to duty, to the Army, and to his country, combined with his frank nature, good humor, and sense of justice insure him success.”
On graduation, Lance was commissioned as an Infantry officer, and he married Anne Knodel of Rocky Ford, CO, a magna cum laude graduate from Immaculata College in Pennsylvania. Following completion of Airborne and Ranger schools, his first assignment was with the 509th Airborne Infantry Regiment, part of the 8th Infantry Division, located at Lee Barracks in Mainz-Gonsenheim, Germany, where he served as a platoon leader and company commander. In 1967, Lance deployed to Vietnam, where he was assigned as an advisor to a Vietnamese infantry battalion. He returned to CONUS in 1968 to attend the Armor Officer Career Course at Fort Knox, KY and then returned to Vietnam in 1969 to serve as a staff officer at Military Assistance Command-Vietnam. Lance resigned his commission in 1970. For his service, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
Following his resignation from the Army, Lance and Anne settled in Middle Grove, NY, where they raised sons Peter, Paul and Phillip, who, as is typical in a military family, had been born in Virginia, Kentucky and New York. Lance and Anne were divorced in 1984.
During this time, Lance worked as the manager of security and facilities engineering at Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory (KAPL) in Niskayuna, NY, a firm established in 1946 under a contract between the General Electric Company and the Manhattan Engineering District to produce naval nuclear propulsion plants. He was also the manager of facilities engineering at the General Electric Global Research and Development Center at Niskayuna and director of facilities at Glens Falls Hospital.
One colleague at KAPL recalled, “I had the privilege of knowing Lance for many years. I worked with him at KAPL and then for him at G.E. Global Research in Niskayuna. He was always a very personable man with unwavering integrity. Throughout his life he exemplified the personal excellence, the discipline, and the leadership attributes of an Army Ranger.”
It was during his time with KAPL that he met Susan Yates, a professional colleague, whom he married in 1988. After 23 years of marriage, Lance and Sue parted ways amicably, keeping in contact at least once a month.
Throughout his life, Lance continued the physical fitness focus that he started in the Army. He ran the Boston Marathon, completed the Rogers’ Rangers cross country ski race down the 32-mile length of Lake George, ran many 5K and 10K races, bicycle races and cross-country ski races. He also showed his determination, grit, and excellent physical fitness as he completed the Pike’s Peak Half Marathon, running up the hiking trail of the 14,000-foot mountain near Colorado Springs, CO, showing the same ice blue cyanosis bar over his upper lip—a badge of honor among elite runners—as other early finishers.
Following his East Coast adventures, Lance moved to Bullhead City, AZ, where he was a successful physical fitness instructor teaching weight training, cycle spinning classes and leading hikes. His large following of students were frequently seen wearing T-shirts reading “Body by Lance” while Lance’s T-shirt read, quite appropriately, “Body of Lance.”
In February 2015, Lance was to have what would have been his second knee replacement procedure at a Bullhead City, AZ hospital. Subsequent to the surgery, he developed pneumonia, which he was unable to shake. When his sister arrived from Colorado Springs and was advised by the doctors that there was nothing more they could do for him, she immediately had Lance transferred to a medical center in Las Vegas, NV, where he spent the next three weeks on, off, and finally on a ventilator, unconscious until his death from acute respiratory distress syndrome on March 19, 2015. Per his request, no services were held, and his ashes were scattered in the Adirondack Mountains.
Lance Stewart led a life of service, integrity and love for his family and country. He was a gifted leader who inspired all who knew him. He lived the West Point motto: Duty, Honor, Country. Well Done, Lance; Be Thou at Peace.
