EULOGY
OCTOBER
17. 2020 MARBLE HILL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
DAVID
M. STEWART: A GREAT MAN, A WONDERFUL LIFE
I am honored to be able to say a few
words here today about my long-time great friend, Dr David Stewart.
It was hard for me to decide what to say to this gathering of David’s family
and friends, in the 15 or 20 minutes that I have, not because I don’t have much
to say, but because I could talk for a couple of hours about him and only
scratch the surface. So my problem is how to convey to you what a great man David
was, and is, in such a short time.
I think that probably just about
everyone here knows that David Stewart was a great teacher and writer of books,
a great family man and friend, an outstanding scholar, and above all, a devout Christian
of deep faith. Let me underscore the fact that he was a man of God by letting
him speak for himself. In the introduction to his excellent book about the
chemistry of healing organic compounds, sub-titled “God’s Love Manifest in
Molecules”, he quotes Psalm 19: “The heavens are telling the glory of God; and
the firmament proclaims his handiwork.” David goes on to say: “The psalmist
speaks of the power and nature of God as evidenced in the grandeur of the
galaxies, the great dome of the sky, and the infinite scale of the cosmos. …
even though inanimate creation does not speak in words, it still has a voice resounding
everywhere, to be heard and understood by the spiritually attuned… the atoms are
also telling of the glory of God; and the molecules proclaim his handiwork.”
These statements provide us with a look into the
mind of Dr. David Stewart. Having talked with him on many occasions over the
years about God and science, I know that he saw science and spirituality as complementary
paths to Truth. He saw no conflict between science and religion. I suspect that
this is something that most of you already know about David, but now, let me
see if I can tell you a few things about him that you might not know:
I first met David when we were assigned
to rooms directly across the hall from each other on the second floor of McMurray
Hall,
the freshman men’s dormitory on the campus of Central Methodist College, now
Central Methodist University. He was a Philosophy-English major, planning to
become a Methodist Minister. I was a Physics-Math major, planning to become a
theoretical physicist. Classes for our major and minor interests were held on
opposite ends of the campus. But David had an abiding interest in science and
mathematics, and I had an abiding interest in philosophy and religion.
We did have one class together that
year.
As honor students, we didn’t have to take first-year English and math courses,
and instead were allowed to enroll in more interesting courses like a creative
writing course taught by one of the most popular professors on campus, Dr.
Thomas Perry. We came to know each other in this class, and in after-hours small
groups of students that tended to congregate in our rooms, and In late night
discussions, common in college dorms in those days, we discovered that we both believed
there should be no conflict between real science and real religion, and we soon
became good friends. That was 1955. 65 years later, we are still best friends. I
was fortunate to get to know Dave’s family. His father, who taught English to
Penitentiary Inmates, had a delightful sense of humor. And Dave’s brother Ted
said that Dave and I were twins. We just happened to be born to different
mothers!
Dave and I thought so much alike that
it was a little spooky at times. During those late-night
discussions, we would sometimes say whole statements in unison, and often
finished each other’s sentences. We both had numerous experiences of sitting in
class, suddenly thinking of the other, just before looking out the window to see
the other walking by on his way across campus. We seemed to have some sort of
psychic connection. Partly because of this, we became interested in the then-new
science of parapsychology. We carried out some very interesting experiments
with the support of a physics professor and Dr. perry. We corresponded with Dr.
JB Rhine of Duke University, the pioneer of parapsychology in the US at that
time. He encouraged us to continue our parapsychological experiments, but wisely
advised us to get a solid education in some other field, as there was little
demand for parapsychologists!
Students were allowed to choose roommates
after the first year at Central Methodist, so because of
our common interests and our budding friendship, we chose to be roommates our
second year, and again until the middle of our third year. One night in the
second semester of our Junior year, in a discussion about life and the reason
for existence, we agreed that we were not getting the answers we were looking
for in the classrooms of Academia, so the next morning, we packed up and left.
After camping in a cave for three
weeks, we struck out hitch-hiking across America to
California. Our goal was to meet certain famous people who we thought might
have some answers. That was the beginning of Dave and Ed’s Excellent Adventure!
We were honor students, so our parents and some
of the administrators at Central Methodist nearly had heart attacks. I won’t go
into details here, but we did meet some of those famous people, and we did find
some answers, but we both returned, - not together or at the same time- to marry
our sweethearts and finish our formal education. We both earned degrees in
mathematics and science, including PhDs, and we both did post-doctoral research
in several fields.
After Lora Lee called Monday to tell
me that her father had left this earth behind, I posted a recent
picture of the two of us together and a short notice on Facebook. It said:
Dr David M. Stewart
exited this life this afternoon, I think this was the last picture taken with
my best friend. We were on our way to enjoy dinner together at a local Mexican
restaurant. We met as college freshmen in 1955, and have remained best friends
all these years. I mourn the loss of his physical presence, but celebrate his
exemplary life! He was a blessing to this world and will be remembered as one
of the great minds of his time.
As of this morning,
there have been 620 likes, 225 comments, and 72 shares, attesting to how many people
held David in high regard. I’d like to end my tribute to David by reading a few
of those comments:
“A
most intelligent and humble man who changed and impacted my life in so many
ways... The Holy Spirit led me to Dr. David Stewart and his beautiful teachings
… I know his spirit longed to be with his
beloved wife, Lee, who passed on a few years ago, and I am glad that they are
now reconnected.
He was a brilliant man
and has blessed us all with his work and writings. He will he missed.
He touched my heart, the
first time I heard him speak
I loved him from his
books and videos and knowledge that he provided. May he rest in peace. He did
great work here on earth.
A
great mind, student of life, kind personality, and wonderful teacher. We will
all miss him.
He is a precious soul and
moved mountains in this world. His education, gentle wise spirit, books and so
much more left a lasting imprint on so many.
Such a blessing to this
earth! Wonderful man who shares his wisdom! What a wonderful man. I love
how Dr. Stewart used his genius to simplify things for us. He changed the world
for the better. Wishing you peace Dr. Close as you remember your dear friend.
Such
a wonderful scholar he was and what a Blessing to all who knew and loved him.
He will live on in our hearts and minds as we continue to reference his
materials! I am so, so sorry for your loss.
May
he rest in Eternal Peace ! We will be forever grateful for his dedication
A life well lived. He has
indeed left an indelible impression on the world.
He left the imprint of
'God's love in molecules' for all who were eager to learn from him. He will be missed,
and I am sorry for the hole left in your heart. What as lovely friendship.
David Stewart was a
precious friend and WHAT A GIFT TO THE WORLD!!!
We have lost a giant of a
man of character and a library of knowledge that we benefit from every day. You
will always be a remembered pioneer in God’s remedies for health.
David was a great
soul who dedicated so much to the betterment of humankind. Thankfully, his
great books hold his research and knowledge. He now rests with God. Blessings
to you.
Feeling sad today for the
loss of this giant! So sorry, Ed, that your best friend has moved on to the
heavenly spheres where I am sure angels have been welcoming him home and where
Lee is waiting with open arms! When I
took a CARE seminar with him in 2004… I was blown away by his loving warmth,
inclusivity and unconditional love! I learned a lot, but …my experience of his
loving kindness changed me forever.
His lifetime friendship and collaboration with you.
Dr. Close will continue to pave the road for the future of post-materialist
science and innate knowledge that our souls/consciousness live on through
eternity.”
There
were many more tributes like these.
When I think about Dave’s departure
from this world, I remember what Jesus said in John 14:2: “In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not
so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And I will come
again, and receive you unto myself.”
Today, one of those mansions has a new resident.
His name is David Mack Stewart.
ERC Posted 10/24/2020
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