Martha and Robert Stewart
This information was taken from the obituary:
Robert attended Abilene Christian College (ACC), now known as Abilene Christian University (ACU), where he majored in journalism. When only a few hours from completing his degree, he was offered a job at a daily newspaper, The Vernon Record, and thus began his illustrious career spanning decades.
Bob’s early years in journalism included times at The Borger News Herald, The Bryan Daily Eagle, The Dallas Times Herald, The Marshall News Messenger, The Laredo Times and the San Antonio Light. At a young age, while managing editor at The Bryan Daily Eagle, he was recognized by editor and publisher and state journalism societies as being the best in the state of Texas in several categories.
Also while in Bryan, Bob’s play “WHICH DEATH TO DIE?” was produced by the AGGIE PLAYERS and he wrote 2 scripts for the number one TV series “GUNSMOKE”.
During his nearly twenty years at the San Antonio light, he began to focus on entertainment news, developing the first TV book to accommodate the multiple channel listings that were needed for the new cable networks. He wrote the weekly cover story for the TV guide and a daily column for the TV section of the newspaper. He also enjoyed a number of years on the air with the local network affiliate Channel 12 KSAT doing movie reviews. He would rank the movies on a scale of 1-12 and give his “Bobservations”.
Following his work at the San Antonio Light, Bob worked freelance for People magazine, US magazine, Life magazine, and many others. He gave up his freelance status to work full time for People magazine for several years to wrap up a distinguished career in the field of journalism.
During his career, Bob interviewed literally thousands of people, both famous and infamous, ranging from presidents, to serial killers, to movie stars. Bob’s most relished interview ever was the day he interviewed Roy Rogers, his childhood hero. He stated that he could hardly speak and that Roy was everything he could ever want a hero to be.
After retiring from People magazine, Bob began a career as an author, having four non-fiction books published:
MAN TO MAN When the woman you love has breast cancer St Marten’s Press 1989
SACRIFICE Word Publishing 1990
REVENGE REDEEMED Fleming H Revell 1991
NO REMORSE Pinnacle Books 1996
In recent years Bob has enjoyed the publishing of three fiction books
ALIAS THOMAS A. KATT Solstice Publishing 2011
HIDDEN EVIL Novel Concept Publishing 2011
FIRST BORN Novel Concept Publishing 2013
Bob received recognition from the Writer’s Guild of America for his work in 1967 on scripts for Gunsmoke, named as one of WGA’s 101 Best Written TV Series of the last 70 years.
Above all else, Bob loved God. A close second was the time he had with his family. A loving and sacrificial husband, father, and grandfather he set an example of what a Godly man should be. Ever patriotic, he was never too busy to stop, and shake hands, and thank every law enforcement officer or any military personnel he saw. Bob was a faithful member of the Church of Christ and consistent in his involvement. He often preached sermons on Sundays, taught Bible classes, and officiated weddings and funerals as a lay minister. He loved a good joke, especially if it involved an Aggie. It was often said, “You will know if Bob doesn’t like you if he doesn’t tease you”. He loved to watch his beloved Aggies football team and “bled maroon”. He also was a big Dallas Cowboy fan and especially enjoyed assignments when he got to interview the Cowboy players.
A dominating presence, he usually seemed to be in command of all situations. At his last writers “unconference” the night before he passed, Bob spoke on “Perseverance”. All attending were thinking of persevering within the literary world…the fight to be published. The best lesson though from Bob Stewart was the perseverance and love that he showed seeing his wife Martha through two bouts of cancer. When Bob gave his word, he kept it.