David B. Stewart

david stewart
David B. Stewart died on April 12, 2015, of complications following a partial hip replacement after a fall.

Dave Stewart was born July 18, 1928, in Springfield, Vermont. In Springfield, as a teenager during World War II, Dave became an apprentice to the local butcher, but he ended up applying his talents to geology and mineralogy instead as a result of serendipitous connections. His parents had a summer home in Sumner, Maine, and there was a rock and mineral shop in nearby West Paris. Dave became interested in minerals and through the owner of the mineral shop, Stan Perham, Dave met Prof. Clifford Frondel of Harvard University. Perham enthusiastically recommended Dave to Frondel. Dave graduated from Springfield High School in June 1946 but was unable to enter college immediately because colleges were filled by servicemen returning from World War II. He worked with the mineral collection of the Harvard Museum, mostly preparing rock and mineral specimens shipped to Harvard by students who had been in the armed services during the war, finally entering Harvard as a freshman in August 1947. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in geology and chemistry in March 1951, his Master of Arts in mineralogy and petrology in June 1952, and his Ph.D. in petrology and mineralogy in 1956; all degrees were from Harvard. His Ph.D. research focused on the rapakivi granite of Deer Isle, Maine. His time in Maine, first as a summer resident, then as a budding geologist, began his life-long love of seafood, seabirds (serious interest in birding actually began with the Boy Scout Birds merit badge), the ever-changing shoreline ambiance, and, of course, the geology of coastal Maine.



Dave worked his entire career for the United States Geological Survey (USGS), an agency of the Department of the Interior. He joined the USGS in 1955, at which time he moved to the DC area, and he was a DC-area resident until his death. He retired from the USGS in early 1995 but continued to do research as an Emeritus geologist until late 2007, when his health no longer permitted him to continue.

Dave was a brilliant and versatile scientist and his career was notable for the diversity of earth science studies in which he participated. In his early career, he established a laboratory that did high-pressure and high-temperature experiments on minerals. He performed experimental studies of feldspars (the most common group of rock-forming minerals) and studied the formation of lithium-rich pegmatites. He was a NASA Principal Investigator between 1970 and 1975 for studies of feldspar minerals from the moon.

Throughout his career, Dave worked on field studies of the geology of coastal Maine and synthesized various types of earth-science data to determine the tectonic history of Maine and bordering Canadian provinces. In his mid-career, he coordinated and supervised the USGS efforts in a collaborative project (between the USGS, the Geological Survey of Canada, the Maine Geological Survey, and numerous universities) to determine the structure of the Earth's crust in Maine and adjacent Canada by performing various types of geophysical studies. He organized and coordinated a collaborative project with US and Canadian earth scientists and computer experts to synthesize the data and formulate a prototype Geographic Information System for combining and synthesizing regional earth science data. Dave remained active in research in Maine until late 2007, collaborating with Canadian colleagues and focusing on geologic correlations with Atlantic Canada and the geochemistry and geochronology of volcanic rocks in the region.



During Dave's mid to late career, he was involved in issues relating to radioactive waste disposal. He studied the chemistry of the interaction of radioactive waste products with rock and brine to help determine the conditions that would exist in radioactive waste repositories; such studies were needed to help decide how to dispose of radioactive waste safely. He was detailed to the State Planning Council on Radioactive Waste Management as Deputy Executive Director and Policy Analyst for high-level radioactive waste. The State Planning Council was established by a Presidential Order during the Carter administration. Dave was responsible for helping define the concept that became the basis for State-Federal decision-making on siting radioactive waste repositories. As technical advisor to the President's Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Department of the Interior (during the Carter administration), he had a lead role in assessing the technical status of repository technology.

Near the end of Dave's career, he participated with five other authors, from the USGS, Naval Research Labs, and the Smithsonian Institution, in preparation of the third edition of the map "This Dynamic Planet: World Map of Volcanoes, Earthquakes, Impact Craters and Tectonic Plates." This map has won awards and is the best selling general interest publication that that the USGS has ever produced.

Dave was an outstanding scientist of the highest integrity. He had the ability to quickly perceive and articulate central issues as well as to think meaningfully at all scales from atomic to global. He had a commanding presence. These characteristics led to requests to serve on many boards, panels, and committees, and recognition at many levels. He received the Mineralogical Society of America's Award (for an outstanding scientific publication by a young scientist) in 1966. He served four years as Chief of the Branch of Experimental Geochemistry and Mineralogy of the USGS, directing that Branch's research program. He served as president of the Mineralogical Society of America in 1987-88 and president of the Geological Society of Washington in 1972. He received the Department of Interior Distinguished Service Award in 1981. In 1981, he was one of two finalists nominated by the National Academy of Sciences advisory panel to the Secretary of the Interior for consideration as Director of the USGS ( he did not get the position, perhaps because he was too forthright for such a political position).

Dave Stewart's personal attributes made him a person of note. He did not suffer fools easily, but this aspect of his personality was offset by a quick wit and disarming self-deprecation. He was an unabashed punster. He was a warm and loyal friend, welcoming and hospitable, and was an attentive mentor to many younger colleagues. Despite his intellect, he was never arrogant and always put others at ease. On one field trip after another, he was easily recognized by the broad-brimmed Australian hat on his head, the heavy sweater made of Icelandic wool, and the binoculars around his neck even during cocktail hour (just in case an interesting bird should fly by). He was passionate about growing dwarf conifers, good wine, and birding. In 1959, Dave began a decades long association with the Brooke Bird Count, one of many annual Christmas bird counts sponsored by the Audubon Society. In the mid 1980s he took over as organizer and compiler of that count, continuing until 2007.

Memorial services will probably take place at the Atrium at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens on the afternoon of Friday May 29, from 1-4 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in David Stewart's name to the Nature Conservancy or to Harvard University.

Dave is survived by his wife, Odette James, also a USGS retiree, three children, Diane Stewart Strodel, Douglas Stewart and Jeffrey Bricmont Stewart, two grandchildren, Jack and Lindsay Strodel, his sister Lillian Stewart Walker, and his former wife Dorothy Stewart. His half-sister, June McGreevy, preceded him in death.



Funeral Home:

Money & King Funeral Home

171 W. Maple Ave.

Vienna, VA

US 22180

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Guestbook

  1. A dedicated geologist and good friend, Dave’s expertise and wit will be missed by all of us who knew him.

  2. My father was a wonderful and caring man. I feel very lucky to have had him in my life…and what a grandfather he was. We will all miss you so much. There is definitely a hole in our hearts now that you are gone. As his granddaugher Lindsay said, Grandpa has a much better view of the birds now! So true…

  3. Miss you so much Dad you were and are such a important influence in my life. I will miss your wit,advice and companionship. I look forward to our next trip together.

  4. Dave was one of those individuals who inspired confidence and admiration for his talent and humanness. He was a light at the USGS when it was often dark. He will be missed.


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