Arizona Republic 31 Mar 2013

Biven Stewart

Stewart, Biven 90, of Phoenix, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on March 25, 2013.

Born in Sasakwa, Oklahoma, he spent most of his life in Arizona, graduating from Chandler High School, and living and working in various parts of the Valley. After working on some fishing expeditions on the Pacific Coast, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and proudly served in the China Burma India Theater of WWII. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to Arizona and attended the University of Arizona and Arizona State College at Flagstaff (NAU) before earning his bachelor's degree at Arizona State College at Tempe (ASU) in 1953. He worked for several years as the owner and principal contractor of Arcadia Electric, and as a proprietor of rentals in South Phoenix known to family and friends as "the farm." He was also an avid gardener and was proud of his lush mustard greens, various citrus fruits, and pomegranates. A life-long tinkerer and amateur inventor, he once held a patent on a "reversible" swamp cooler, and as late as age 85, was trying to patent a new type of salad bowl.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Mary Louise Stewart, daughters Christie Ronquillo, Sally Stewart, Tara Blanc, Rebecca Hischier, grandsons John C. Ronquillo, Padraic Haines, Colin Haines, granddaughter Kimberly Gaziano, and great-grandsons Cashius Haines and Rhys Ronquillo. Graveside services will be held Monday, April 1, 2013 at 11am at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Rd. Contributions can be made to a scholarship to be named in his honor at ASU at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to Messinger Indian School Mortuary.

Thanks for permission from D & J Altman to use this information.