First Steward Ret.

First Lieutenant Robert F. Steward, retired post commander of the Michigan State Police Post in St. Ignace, passed away Sunday, September 11, 2016, at Genesys Regional Medical Center in Grand Blanc, following a lingering illness. He was 82. He was born September 13, 1933, to Charles and Mary (nee Johnson) Steward in Rochester. He married Kay Smith April 12, 1952, in Rochester, and they enjoyed 62 years together until her death May 24, 2014. Following high school, Mr. Steward joined the Michigan State Police, graduating April 19, 1956. He served at the Flat Rock post from 1956 until 1961, then was transferred to Cheboygan, where he achieved the rank of corporal. In 1967, he was assigned to the Flint post, where he was promoted to sergeant in 1972, and served there in that capacity until he was promoted to lieutenant and named the commander of the Genesee County Communications Command Dispatch in April 1978. He was involved in the building of the Dispatch Center, as it is known today, a state-of-the-art program which served as a model throughout the country. He came to St. Ignace as the post commander in March 1980, serving here until he retired December 27, 1986. During his service at St. Ignace, Lt. Steward organized the Mackinac County Search and Rescue with Sheriff Ben Thompson and was active in the Moose Lodge, Eagles, and other community activities. He and his wife continued to actively support the St. Ignace Public Library, Mackinac County Toy Drive, and many other community programs the rest of their lives. Mr. Steward was also active in politics for many years and ran unsuccessfully for the Michigan House of Representatives 107th District in 1984. In the fall of 1986, in preparation for his retirement, he and his wife purchased Lakeshore Park Campground on Pointe LaBarbe Road in Moran Township, which he owned until his death. His daughter and son-in-law, Christine and Douglas Bellows, now operate the campground. He enjoyed coffee with friends at the Truck Stop in later years. He and his wife spent winters in Arizona with their fifth-wheels and motor home, and, for many years, joined friends at Las Vegas. He loved spending time with his family and entertained them at his home much of the summer. He is survived by a son and his family, David and Claudette Steward of Swartz Creek; two daughters and their families, Christine and Douglas Bellows of St. Ignace and Karen Smeja of Swartz Creek; six grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters and their families, Marge Dernier and Mary and Jim Madson, both of Rochester. Visitation will be Friday, September 16, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Dodson Funeral Home in St. Ignace. There will be no formal service. Burial will be at Gros Cap Cemetery beside his wife. Memorial contributions may be directed to the National Kidney Foundation, with envelopes available from the funeral home.

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First Steward Ret.

September 11, 2016