Albert "Al" L. Stewart was called home on March 10, 2022, by the One who watched over him all his life. With his wife by his side, Al fought valiantly against a rare progressive neurological disorder, PSP, for several years and passed at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise with complications after surgery. Born in 1947, in Nyssa, Oregon, to Jack and Nita Stewart, he was 8th of 9 children. He spent most of his young life in Weiser, Nampa, and Boise, Idaho, with a short time in Vale, Oregon, and Mammoth, Utah. After a chance meeting in the Warm Springs swimming pool in Idaho City and driving between his home in Boise and hers in Jerome for two years, he married his lifetime love Patricia Jacobs proving young love can last. They had one son, Rob. During Al's hot rod years, he and his friends made many memories around working on their cars, changing engines and transmissions, and racing. Cars were a major part of his life. At the same time, they attended the Broadway Church of God making lifelong bonds with the people in their group and their leaders. They have reunions and get together more than 55 years later. Al went to Boise schools including Boise High School and Boise State College. He designed roads and bridges for the Ada County Highway District and was then recruited to be Assistant City Engineer for the city of Nampa. After five years, he went to work for Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph as a Market Administrator. Working his way up to Systems Manager supervising PBX and data marketing engineers in multiple states, he retired from U S West with 21 years of service. Al was constantly learning something new. He enjoyed local history and explored the area. He was a private pilot and attended Auctioneering School. He was always making or building something, from shops and waterfalls to computers, woodworking projects or restoring a car. He did a frame up restoration of a 1958 Edsel Citation convertible and recently restored a 1964 Dodge Polara 500. He could fix just about anything mechanical or technical. Some of his later endeavors included collecting and repairing clocks and watches (often making the parts), flying radio-controlled planes and drones, and working with Corbett Auctions. He was one of the leaders of the Idahorological Society's restoration of the tower clock in the Snake River Heritage Center in Weiser. Family was especially important to Al. Many hours were spent reminiscing. He, with his sister and nieces, planned and held several large family reunions. He was very proud of his heritage. He spent several years researching and building a data base of Stewarts and Waltmans with thousands of entries, which he printed and shared with his family. Taking it another step, he investigated his Stewart heritage using DNA. He was meticulous and did things to the highest quality. Kind, compassionate, and generous also described him. He gave things to those who needed them and did things like clearing snow from the neighbors walks and driveways without being asked. Surviving him are his wife of 56 years; his brother, Dr. Ken Stewart of San Angelo, TX; and many nieces and nephews. Scott (Jean Kaylor) Jacobs of Nampa, Susan Jacobs (Ronnie) Debban of Fruitland, and Jan Jacobs Lee of Challis consider him their brother. His son, parents, and 7 siblings preceded him in death. He will be missed by many. Thank you to all who helped throughout his illness. Special thanks are extended to Dennis and Diane Altman, David and Shirley Fretwell, Scott and Jean Jacobs, Rob and LaVina Pratt, David and Kathi Newell, Lary and Lisa Julian, and Evan and Barbara Hicks for their extra love and support during his illness. Wonderful compassionate care from Dr. Katie Fethke at Intermountain Eye, Sara Smith, NP-C with St. Alphonsus Geriatrics, Dr. George Lyons with St. Alphonsus Neurology, and the hospital staff at St. Alphonsus was very much appreciated. A Celebration of Life will be held April 25, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at the Riverside Hotel, 3900 Chinden Blvd, in Boise. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity or the Humphreys Diabetes Center.
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