Dr. Robert Edley Stewart, affectionately known as “Dr. Bob”, passed away Sunday, August 24, 2025.
“Dr. Bob” as he was affectionately known by his patients, died at his home in Birmingham, AL after a long illness. He was a long-time resident of Huntsville and a prominent pediatrician for 50 years.
Bob was born in a rustic setting in Dekalb County, Tennessee, one of four children of Euwin and Lucille Stewart. For most of his early life, he lived in McMinnville Tennessee, graduating from Central High School with many honors. He earned an academic scholarship to the University of Tennessee (UT), after which he worked his way through UT Medical School by taking a job in the Pediatrics lab. That was where he came to know that he wanted to specialize in Pediatrics.
Just before moving to St. Louis, MO for residency at Barnes Hospital, he married his childhood sweetheart, Sandra Buchele. After residency he served a two-year stint Fort Smith Arkansas and at Beaumont Army Hospital in El Paso Texas, earning his wings as a paratrooper at Fort Benning.
Friends from medical school attracted him to Huntsville where he set up practice in 1966 with Dr. Tom McGehee. After Toms death, Drs. Charles Horton and Jean Marie McGehee joined him. He taught UAB medical students for 42 years, receiving several Best Teacher awards from students. Bob was instrumental in the establishment of homes for dependent and neglected children before the National Advocacy Center arrived. In addition, he participated in medical mission trips to Honduras and Belize, where an interest in the Spanish language began.
He enjoyed many activities outside his practice, namely tennis, snow skiing, bicycling, reading, Spanish lessons and family gatherings at their home on Tims Ford Lake. He and his family were members of Covenant Presbyterian Church, where he served as an Elder before moving membership to First Presbyterian Church.
Upon retirement, he began working with the homeless in Huntsville, joining a team working out of First Stop, a homeless service center, on weekly rounds to inner city camps found in various locations. His loving and compassionate approach endeared him to many of these unfortunate people. He easily became their friend.
Dr. Bob is survived by his wife of 65 years, Sandra; daughter, Melissa Herndon (John); son, Brett Stewart (Tricia); and four perfect grandchildren, Dr. Stewart Herndon (Madeline), Mr. Drew Herndon (Shelby), Ms. Allie Stewart, and Ms. Cassady Stewart; and two great-grandchildren, James Edley Herndon and Everett O’Neal Herndon.
A close friend has called his life a Horatio Alger-type story, from rags to riches. But Bob would say, the riches were not primarily monetary but rich life experiences and loving relationships.
Visitation will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 307 Gates Avenue Huntsville, AL 35801 on Monday, September 29th from 1:30 to 3:00.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Memphis TN, First Presbyterian Church, Huntsville, or to a charity of your choice.
