Individuals throughout the insurance industry are mourning the loss of former Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) president, Gordon Curran Stewart, 75, who passed away on November 26 in Garrison, N.Y.
Stewart joined I.I.I. in 1989 as the organization's executive vice president and became its president in 1991, holding that position until his retirement in 2006. For more than 15 years, he worked to transform the organization into the leading source of information for journalists, academics and policymakers.
"It is impossible to sum up the impact that Gordon had on this organization," said Dr. Robert Hartwig, president of the I.I.I., in a press release. "He was an extraordinary man, who greatly influenced not only the Institute but the insurance industry as a whole, on an international scale."
"Much of what the I.I.I. is today is based upon the foundation Gordon built during his time here," added Hartwig, who succeeded Stewart as president of the I.I.I. "Gordon's accomplishments throughout the course of his life were truly extraordinary. He was not only successful in the business world and at the highest levels of government, but also in the field of performing arts."
Throughout his career, Stewart had a lasting impact on politics, education, the arts, journalism and the insurance industry. Following his studies at the Oberlin College of Arts and Sciences, the University of Chicago, the University of Vienna in Austria, and the Yale School of Drama, Stewart took a position as an instructor of English and theatre at Amherst College.
From Amherst he transitioned into a career in drama and politics – directing plays and working for Business Communications for the Arts, where he wrote an article for Former U.S. Treasury Secretary C. Douglas Dillon. This led to speeches for The Washington Post's Katherine Graham, William S. Paley of CBS, and Arnold Gingrich, founder of Esquire magazine. Through his association with Gingrich, Stewart would eventually become the chief speechwriter and executive assistant to New York Mayor John Lindsay. Other political posts followed and Stewart wrote speeches for various Democratic Party campaigns, eventually becoming President Jimmy Carter's chief speechwriter.
From 1982 through 1989, Stewart was vice president of the American Stock Exchange, and he began his involvement with I.I.I. in 1989. Following his retirement from I.I.I. in 2006, Stewart created a company that focused on creating connections between society, politics and the arts.
Several years after his family moved to Garrison, N.Y., Stewart launched an online newspaper, Philipstown.info, in an effort to create a model that could be replicated in communities across the country. He wanted to provide a fresh approach to covering local news and believed that his readers should have the opportunity to share their opinions, so theirs were the only ones printed on the website.
Many in the community shared their thoughts upon learning of his passing. "You will be missed, Gordon. I will always feel the greatest gratitude to you for creating Philipstown.info/The Paper. You gave our community an indispensable and enduring gift. Thank you for honoring the highest standards of journalism, fairness and truth. Thank you for helping to enable the essence of democracy by giving voice to community members' concerns in a professionally moderated forum, a forum that is singular in the community. Most of all, I am grateful for your example of genuine humanity, concern for your neighbors and community, and your actions and participation in improving lives – not as a byproduct of seeking influence or profit – but as a result of a fundamental sense of right and wrong. You were an exemplary human being. It was my honor and privilege to know you," said Steve Laifer on the Phillipstown.info site.
Stewart is survived by his wife, Zanne Early Stewart, and their daughter Katy. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Phillipstown.info.
Photos courtesy of Philipstown.info/The Paper
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