Teacher always put kids first
A retired Harper College professor who devoted a dozen years of service to the Schaumburg Township Elementary District 54 school board has died after a long battle with diabetes.
Phillip Stewart, a former resident of Hoffman Estates, died Friday at the age of 69 at St. Mary's Hospital in Madison.
Mr. Stewart was a professor of criminal justice at Harper College in Palatine when he retired after more than a quarter-century of teaching.
He opted not to run for a fourth term on the District 54 board in 2005, largely due to health reasons, board President Charlotte Kegarise said.
"I think that was the main reason he left the board," Kegarise said. "I served with him his entire 12 years on the board."
She added that Mr. Stewart's passion for education, both as a teacher and a parent, came through loud and clear during his years on the school board.
"No matter what we did, he always put kids first," Kegarise said. "He had six kids of his own. He always wanted to make sure the quality education they received was not compromised."
In addition to his school board service, he was also an active member of the Freemasons and Shriners, as well as other philanthropic organizations.
The village of Hoffman Estates honored the end of his tenure on the District 54 board by proclaiming April 20, 2005, "Phillip C. Stewart Day."
He moved to a retirement community in Davis, Ill., shortly after stepping down, and later received a kidney transplant in Madison, Kegarise said.
Nevertheless, his health continued to decline in recent years.
"He was really suffering," Kegarise said. "His quality of life was diminishing."
Mr. Stewart was also an avid card player, golfer and follower of the Chicago Cubs and Green Bay Packers.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Peggy, as well as six daughters, seven siblings, five grandsons and five sons-in-law.
Visitation will be at McCorkle Funeral Home, 101 W. Main St. in Durand, Ill. from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, immediately followed by a 10 a.m. funeral Mass at St. Mary Catholic Church in Durand.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Phillip C. Stewart Memorial Fund, c/o The State Bank of Davis, 100 Route 75, Davis, IL 61019.
For more information, call (800) 213-7070.