Longtime and Prominent Rochester Civic Leader Has Died

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Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - Rochester has lost a prominent community and business leader.

Howard "Chub" Stewart passed away on Friday. He was 93-years-old.

According to his obituary published in the Rochester Post Bulletin, the Rochester native and 1948 graduate of Rochester High School, became one of the earliest IBM employees in Rochester when he was hired by "Big Blue" in 1956 as the company was first beginning its operations in the city.

Following an impressive career with IBM, which ended after 15 years as the site operations manager, Stuart was elected to the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners in 1986.

His obituary highlights his key role in helping to bring Western Digital to Rochester after IBM began to downsize its local workforce in the early 1990s. Stewart was also involved and served leadership roles in a myriad of local business and community organizations, including service as the presidents of the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, Rochester Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Rochester Area Foundation.

Stewart's final years of civic involvement often focused on amateur sports. His obituary notes his involvement in securing state funding for the Rochester Community and Technical College Fieldhouse and the Rochester National Volleyball. He also chaired the Minnesota Star of the North Games in Rochester in 1990, served as president of the Rochester Amateur Sports Commission, and the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission.

He is survived by his wife and five children. His obituary indicates they are planning a private memorial service at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston.