Obituary of Ralph E. Stewart

Ralph “Pete” E. Stewart, age 88, of Gloversville, died December 10, 2020 surrounded by family. Pete was born November 10, 1932 on Court St. in Fonda, NY, at the home of his grandmother and great-grandfather. He was the second son of Donald M. and Marion “Esther” Stewart. 

Moving to Gloversville at a young age, he attended Gloversville schools, graduating from G.H.S. with the class of 1950 and participated in football, track and bowling. He went on to graduate from Cornell University in 1955 with a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Agriculture and Life Sciences. He was inducted into the Alpha Gamma Rho Zeta Chapter of the National Agriculture Fraternity (AGR). He then entered the U.S. Army, serving from March 1955 to March 1957. Returning to Gloversville, he met the love of his life, Billie Lee Garber, and they were married on December 5, 1957. He began his career the same year with the NYS Health Department as a Junior Public Health Sanitarian in the Johnstown, NY district office. In 1959, he received a grant from the U.S. Public Health Service to attend graduate school at the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1960 with his Master of Public Health Degree. Returning to the Johnstown District Office, he was elevated to a full grade Public Health Sanitarian. His duties included inspecting milk pasteurization plants, both public and private drinking water and sewage treatment facilities. He also was responsible for enforcing the State Public Health laws regarding x-rays and other radiation producing facilities. In 1968, he was promoted to Senior Public Health Sanitarian transferring to the department’s central office in Albany, NY where he was again promoted to Associate Public Health Sanitarian, in charge of the statewide Migrant Labor Camps program. In 1973, he was elevated to Principle Public Health Sanitarian and assumed responsibility for several other statewide programs. In 1981, he was promoted to Chief Public Health Sanitarian (the first such position in NYS) and appointed Chief of the Residential Sanitation section in the division of Environmental Health Services, responsible for overseeing several statewide environmental health programs. During his tenure, he was very active as one of the forerunners in creating the NYS Society of Professional Sanitarians(NYSPS) and its affiliation and membership with the NYSPS, holding executive positions in both societies, including terms as President of both the State and National Societies.

Locally, he was an active bowler and softball (slow pitch) player and a life member of the Concordia Singing Society, joining in 1966. He was quite active, serving several years on the Executive Board and Board of Governors, including terms as Club President and Chairman of the Board of Governors. Pete was also an active singing member for several years with the “Empire Statesmen”, a championship Barbershop singing chorus from Gloversville and Johnstown and a member of The National Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Singing in America (SPEBSA).
        
In addition to his parents, Pete was predeceased by his brother Donald M. Stewart, Jr., his brother, William H. Stewart, his son James J. Stewart, sisters-in law Zondra Garber VandeWalker, Sharon Garber Mykel, Sheila Garber Eckert and Judith Terranova Stewart, brothers-in-law John VandeWalker, Douglas Garber and Roger Eckert, mother and father-in-laws William and Naomi (Clark) Garber.
       
Survivors include his wife, Billie Lee, of 63 years, daughters Terri Capasso of Gloversville and Patricia Roten (Mark) of Johnstown, sons Ralph “Re-Pete” of Gloversville, Thomas (Karen) of Lake Katrine, and Scott (Renee) of Johnstown, 14 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

In accordance with Pete’s wishes, there will be no viewing or visitation. A private graveside service will take place at the convenience of the family at Evergreen Cemetery in Fonda, NY. 

A celebration of life will be held at the Concordia Club at a future date to be announced..

Arrangements have been entrusted to Walrath & Stewart Funeral Home, Gloversville.
 
Online condolences to the family may be made at www.brbsfuneral.com