Richard Malcolm Stewart

Sorry to hear of Dick's passing. Dick Stewart was one of my mentors at RMOC and Ottawa City Hall, although he would blush to hear me say this. Yes, City staff (particularly those dedicated to public service, as Dick was) could mentor aspiring politicians like me. A class act.

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My condolences 🙏. Dick was an example for anyone wanting to make a difference in their community. A true servant leader.

Dick was in charge of Community and Social Services when I was a new councillor at RMOC, just before amalgamation. He was a calm and calming presence. I was fortunate enough to benefit from his experience and kind counsel. He was an inspiration. My deepest condolences to his family. He will be sorely missed.

Dick was a true servant of the public. He always tried to insure that those his department served had a voice in their government. His knowledge and wisdom was shared with so many. He made our city a better place to live. RIP

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Dick's smile and laugh could light up a room. We'll miss our Opa and hold him close to out hearts. His memory is a blessing.

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I am heart broken. My condolences to his family. I have fond memories of Dick from working with him in the early seventies and admiring him as he rose to the top position in Social Services. Personally he has helped me through troubled times, and celebrated whenever we connected. I loved him very much. Cheryl Progosh

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What can you say? Dick was a giant among us. He had a vision and he did his best to meet the needs of the clients, the staff and expended much effort to educate the city and the province. He helped us survive the brutal Harris years with his principles intact. I enjoyed running into him at various progressive events and saying hi walking to my new work where I would see him sitting on a lawn chair outside his place. Pauline those of us who knew Dick knew he had a real partner in you. How lucky is that? He will be missed.

So sorry to hear Pauline of the passing of Dick. He sure sounded like a wonderful person. Our sympathies are with you and your family.

Dick was such an amazing human being. I very much enjoyed getting to know him over the years ever since my sister married into the Stewart family. I will miss seeing him at family gatherings. My most sincere condolences to everyone who loved him, especially to Geoff, Pauline, Julie, Kaela and Connor. xoxo

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Pauline, I'm so sorry for your loss. What a wonderful man Dick was.

Heart felt condolences to Dick’s family who shared him with all those who came to know and admire, especially those of us fortunate enough to have him as a great friend from grade 9 at Ridgemont. Condolences as well to Brenda, the mother of Dick’s children. The obituary captures so very well the essence of Dick, a memorable part of the lives of all who knew him.

Such a loss for his dear family, for Ottawa at large and for those of us fortunate enough to have benefited directly from his wisdom, care and mentorship. Dick was pivotal to the creation of Refugee 613 and our evolution from urgent response project to long-term community asset. We all were better for his thoughtful guidance and allyship, always delivered with calm and often with a chuckle. Sending love to Pauline and the extended family.

My late wife Barbara McInnes had a great respect and friendship with Dick when they worked together at the Community Foundation of Ottawa.

My condolences Pauline. Dick sounded like a wonderful man. You will have so many good memories.

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To the Steward family, I am so sorry for your loss. Your loss is shared by all of us who had the privilege of working with and knowing Dick Stewart. This quote you shared about Dick; “ Dick = mentor and conscience, walked the talk, role model, tower of strength, community builder. Dick = loved” is so true and says everything that we need to know about Dick Stewart.

I'm so sorry to hear of Dick's passing, Pauline. He was simply one of the best, leaving a legacy both far reaching and long lasting!

An outstanding leader who walked the talk. I am grateful for all he gave to Ottawa. May he be in peace.

How lucky we were to have Dick Stewart in Ottawa ! Stellar and unflappable leadership in service of the community, and so dedicated to those most in need. From a personal standpoint, Dick was my "big brother" first at the Region and later at the City. He educated, advised, mentored, and encouraged me throughout our time together. I am forever grateful for his friendship Rob Cushman

I am sorry for Dicks passing Pauline. You were perfect partners and blessed friends. Take care. Barbara

Pauline, my deepest condolences. I have many fond memories of Dick.

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Pauline and family. I'm so sorry to hear of Dick's passing, He was a class act, true leader and a visionary. I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with Dick and credit him as being instrumental in my career at the RMOC and City. He will be missed by all.

Pauline & Family I am sorry to hear about Dick’s passing. He was so helpful to all of us working in the child care field. He was always available to talk with us. The day care field is where it is today thanks to Dick and many others. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

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A kind, dedicated, emotionally intelligent gentleman. Dick will be warmly remembered as a person who made a difference by encouraging the right thing be done for the right reason. Our community has lost a very special contributor. My thoughts and prayers are forwarded to Pauline and his family.

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Dick was so influential in his life and career, bringing values and vision to organizations focussed on supporting people. He was a leader and mentor to so many. He, with his dear wife Pauline, were so respected and admired. Thank you for so much; your legacy remains vibrant.

What a beautiful tribute to an outstanding human being. Dick was a mentor to so many in our community, and his many contributions and legacy will live on for years to come. Dick served as a mentor to countless individuals, guiding and inspiring others through his wisdom and dedication. I knew Dick as a person of deep commitment to social justice and his work was firmly rooted in deep values. He consistently advocated for fairness and equity, working tirelessly to address the needs of the marginalized and underserved. My sincere condolences to his family.

My condolences Pauline.

The first thing I think of when I think of Dick is his laugh. He brought such joy and determination to his work. I had the honour of working with him in the 80s and 90s. He was a force of nature in the community, liked and respected by all. His fingerprints and heart beats are all over the city on so many initiatives to look after Ottawa citizens. He was a mentor and role model for me. He always had time and never seemed to lose his sense of purpose and compassion. My deepest sympathies to Dick’s family and loved ones

I had the honour of knowing Dick in the years (1983-93) I was on the board and president of the Social Planning Council. He was an honourable man! I would later come across him in retirement at Ski Fortune, once again serving as an inspiring role model in life as he did professionally.

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Dick was a very dear friend and he will forever be a part of us. Dick had a passion to be active outside and lead us to many cycling, snow shoeing, skiing and hiking destinations. Dick always had a smile and joy in living to the fullest. Dick cared deeply for everyone he was with and it showed. We will miss Dick very much.

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In the 1980's and 1990's, I worked with an agency that supported persons experiencing homelessness, those living with mental illness, substance and alcohol disorder. I had the privilege of meeting and interacting with Dick Stewart on a number of occasions. Did it matter to Dick that I was a young, front-line social worker, in the trenches, miles away from the offices of the political decision-makers? Never! Dick always listened, understood, cared about and actually took action to better the lives of the folks that I saw every day. Dick touched the lives of so many and gave voice to those who are seldom heard. My condolences to Dick’s family and friends.

Heartfelt thoughts and condolences to Mr. Stewart’s family and close friends. He was a mentor to many and a steadfast leader among those of us in the ranks of Community and Social Services. Rest in peace, Sir.

As a career frontline social worker, I loved hearing Dick’s stories of starting out as a welfare worker in the market. He never lost sight of those clients, their stories, challenges, needs and successes regardless how far up the ladder he rose in his career. His solid, wise counsel and ability to navigate tense situations put him right up there with King Solomon. People listened to Dick. Thank-you for our many outdoor adventures hiking, biking, running, skiing, snowshoeing and canoeing. For all that knew him - Dick Stewart was Simply the Best!

I had the great pleasure and privilege of knowing Dick and being part of the Management Team at the former Regional Municipality, as did my late husband Merv….Dick was genuine…and totally committed to the betterment of the most vulnerable in our community… a wonderful legacy!

I met Dick through his work at Ottawa Carleton Region where we served as Commissioners on the Executive Management Team. He was the ultimate team player, always thinking ahead for the good of the organisation, his staff and the community. I reflect that we all have to die and Dick chose his time and place. Well done Dick

The 11+ years after I met Dick Stewart (and Pauline), Dick and I spent the most time together during the last 13 months of his life. While I am not at all surprised to read about all the great experiences people had working with Dick, all my impressions of the man were formed while volunteering and recreating together outdoors - community garden chores, canoeing, bushwhacking in winter on snowshoes. Dick, along with Pauline, set out to master map and compass navigation, and they did. Any trip led by those two was ambitious, and precise in execution. After Dick became ill, silence, understandably, dominated our outings. Nevertheless, he conveyed his feelings in other ways. A lot of the time, he was sad, and occasionally showed frustration with his inability to express himself in words, an attribute Dick did not lack before he was sick. Dick had a wonderful smile. I'll always cherish my memory of seeing his face light up while speaking to his grandson on the phone, or enjoying a cold beer after completing a long hike on a hot day. Dick was a brave man to face his illness the way he did. I was fortunate to spend so many hours with him during his final days. Dick always gave me a fist bump at the end of our outings. Fist bump, Dick.

I am so sad to learn of Dick's passing. I along with so many others who have commented before me were simply in awe of him. I knew him during our time at the Region of Ottawa Carleton when he was in Social Services and I was in Transportation. You would hardly think that we would have much in common from such opposite sides of the organization, but that was not the case at all. Dick was always a team player and understood that we were all in Municipal Government for the same reason, to make things better. And he did! I always enjoyed our interactions and learned so much from him about how important it was to stay focused on the people we were serving. Ottawa needs more men and women like Dick.

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Dick’s support to me as a candidate and later as a city councillor was invaluable. He had a deep understanding of the city and the need for effective social services. I also appreciated his quiet but pointed sense of humour. RIP Dick. And condolences to Pauline and his family and friends.

To Dick's family and friends, I'm so very sorry for your loss. I met Dick through gardening in the last few years, and liked him instantly. He had a natural warmth that made him such a pleasure to be around. I'll miss seeing him at the garden, but find comfort knowing it is also an excellent place to remember him. Sharing in your grief, Jill

I'm heartbroken to hear of Dick's passing. He was such a kind man who always helped others out when needed. He often helped me to prepare my garden bed and to help me out with the deweeding my plots. I shall miss him greatly. My condolences to Pauline, his family and friends.

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My sincere condolences Pauline to you and family. I was honoured and privileged to work for Dick for many years at the RMOC and was in awe of his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to making a difference in individual lives and collectively in the community. His legacy will live on! RIP Dick.

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I recently learned of Dick’s passing at a community event I attended. I was deeply saddened to hear the news, especially as I was not aware that he had been ill. Dick was a visionary and a dedicated community leader — we have truly lost a shining star in our community. I have fond memories of Dick from the early 2000s, when we were working to start employment programs to support newcomers. He was instrumental in getting that initiative off the ground. Over the years, I witnessed Dick’s unwavering commitment to the well-being of our community. I will never forget the compassion he and his wife, Pauline, showed when we lost our son, Abel. Dick was there, offering comfort and spending countless hours helping us build a memorial garden in Abel’s memory. Dick’s kindness, leadership, and generosity will always be remembered.

My sympathies to Dick’s family. He was truly a giant in the field of Social Services. Many in our community have benefitted from his caring. From the early 70’s working at 495 Richmond Rd. I remember his laughter echoing down the halls and the compassion he had for his clients. Joan Organ

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Dear Pauline, I am vary sad to hear of Dick's passing but happy to have met with you & Dick last year. Having seen Dick work with over many years,i can only quote Santayana who said " If you make the best of this crazy world, eternity is full of champions who will defend you." i would add that Dick had many people who loved & championed him in this world.

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I was very sorry to hear of Dick's passing. He was a wonderful man and a huge role model to many who worked with him, both at the RMOC, then later City of Ottawa. He will be remembered as a gentle giant. In 1993, a group of us were planning a retirement party for Mr. Pope, and I had just delivered my first son. He was approximately 2 weeks old. Dick held him for a long time at lunch, so I could eat a hot meal. He loved babies. Rest in peace Dick. You left this world a better place. Condolences to the entire family.

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Dick was a legend at the City of Ottawa even for those of us that came after his time in social services. There were many Dick Stewart stories throughout the years and this will live on. I am thinking of his family during this difficult time,

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Pauline, So sorry to read of Dick's illness and passing. So many wonderful memories and photos of Dick from our OMSSA time together to biking and cross country skiing. May the love you shared, bring you strength and comfort during this difficult time. Beth & Mark

Dick was an inspiration to many of us in the early learning and child care sector. He lived his beliefs and values while being reasonable; he was generous with his time, even in retirement. He made a difference and will be remembered for all of his contributions.

Very sorry to hear of Dick's passing. He will be ever remembered for his compassion and dedication to serving people. He was a leader in municipal social services and put people and community ahead of all else. Sincere condolences to Pauline and the rest of his family. RIP Dick.

My condolences to Dick's family. I remember Dick from Ridgemont High School during the first half of the 1960s; we were both schoolmates and classmates, and part of the first cohort of Baby Boomers to hit high school. Dick was well liked and respected at Ridgemont, and that carried on into his post high school life. I hope that your lifetime of great memories of Dick will help sustain you through this difficult time. Bill Reid Ottawa