Col. Douglas Baird Stuart, USA (Ret'd) - Obituary

olonel Douglas Baird Stuart, US Army, (Ret'd), of Fort Washington, MD, passed away peacefully at his home on February 14, 2024. He was born December 24, 1932 in Carlisle, PA, son of Dr. Wm. Baird Stuart and Hannah Daube. He graduated from Carlisle High School in 1950, where he was class valedictorian. He graduated from the United States Military Academy, West Point, NY, in the class of 1954. As a respected member of his class, he served as Class Treasurer for over 25 years. He earned a Masters Degree in Industrial Engineering from Arizona State University and a Masters Degree in Accounting from The Catholic University of America. He graduated from the Basic Field Artillery Course, the Command and General Staff College, and the Army War College. During his military career, Col. Stuart was assigned to MACV as an advisor in Ca Mau, Vietnam during the Tet Offensive. He commanded the 1st of the 10th Artillery Battalion in Schweinfurt, Germany and later served as Assistant Division Artillery Commander, 3rd Infantry Division. At the end of his military career, he served in the Pentagon in the Office of the Army Vice Chief of Staff. He was also awarded the Parachutist Badge, Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star, Commendation Medal for Valor, Meritorious Service Medal and the Defense Superior Service Medal. Following his retirement, he practiced as a CPA with an accounting firm in Washington, DC. He later established his own private accounting practice, retiring in 2022. Col. Stuart was an active member of the Sons of the American Revolution, serving as Maryland State President and National Trustee. He also served on the National Finance Committee. He took particular pride in awarding the annual SAR Junior ROTC Scholarship to local high schools throughout Prince George’s County. A devotee of history, he was a member of the Civil War Round Table of the District of Columbia and served for many years as their treasurer. Proud of his Scottish heritage, he was a member of the St. Andrews Society of Alexandria, Va for over 30 years. For over 40 years, Col. Stuart was a member of Southminster Presbyterian Church in Fort Washington, where he served on the church session and the ushering team. He was also a lifelong golfer. His proudest moment was hitting a hole-in-one in 1973 and continued playing the game well into his eighties. Col. Stuart was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Albert Daube Stuart. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, the former Emma Rosewell Robbins; two children, Joseph Baird Stuart (Theda) of Hinesville, GA, and Kathleen Rosewell Stuart Stodghill (Jeff) of Newport News, VA; granddaughter Alice Rosewell Stodghill of Leipzig, Germany; his sister, Hannalie Stuart Ferguson (William) of Rock Hill, SC, and many nieces and nephews. His beloved dog “Westie” will miss him. A funeral service will be held on Monday, August 12 at 11 a.m. at the Old Post Chapel on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Fort Myer, VA. Interment with Full Honors will follow in Arlington National Cemetery. Please arrive 45 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the service with government issued ID and enter Ft. Myer via the Hatfield Gate (Main Gate, Open at all times): Washington Blvd. at S 2nd Street. In lieu of flowers, memorial contribution may be made to West Point Association of Graduates or Southminster Presbyterian Church. Please leave a memory or condolence for the family by clicking on the Memoirs Tab to the left of the page. He was a true gentleman. We will miss his quick wit, quiet manner, and genuine smile. Be Thou at Peace.