Influential state labor activist dies

PATRICK CONDON THE OLYMPIAN

OLYMPIA -- Longtime political activist Lou Stewart -- credited by colleagues as one of the most influential supporters of labor causes in the history of the state -- died Tuesday at his home in Olympia. He was 87.

For 15 years starting in 1967, Stewart served as education director and lobbyist for the Washington State Labor Council of the AFL-CIO. He was instrumental in establishing state support for vocational education and occupational health and safety programs.

"There was no major issue facing the state Legislature in the '70s and '80s that didn't have Lou's involvement, and he was known on both sides of the aisle for absolute honesty and integrity," said Rick Bender, now president of the Labor Council and a former state senator.

Among other things, Stewart directed the development of the Labor Council's Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act Monitoring Committee, which Bender said was instrumental in getting workers involved in enforcing and implementing occupational health and safety laws.

Stewart also helped set up the Harborview Occupational Medicine Clinic to care for patients suffering from occupational injuries, illnesses or environmental exposure. He retired in 1982 but remained active as a volunteer member of numerous commissions and boards of directors.

His daughter, Irene Stewart of Seattle, said Stewart was "so personally committed to improving the lives of working men and women."

Stewart was born Jan. 1, 1915, in Rainier, Ore. He grew up at logging camps and as a young adult worked as a journeyman carpenter in the Portland and Clackamas areas. After serving in the Army Air Corps during World War II, Stewart married Helen Hudson and settled in Seattle in 1951.

He went to work for the Washington Department of Personnel in 1961, and in 1962 Stewart and his family moved to the Olympia home where he lived until his death.

In addition to his daughter Irene, Stewart is survived by his wife, Helen; another daughter, Cynthia Stewart of Seattle; three sons, Erik Stewart of Olympia, Craig Stewart of Anchorage, Alaska, and Philip Stewart of Juneau; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Patrick Condon covers state government for The Olympian. He can be reached at 360-753-1688 or pcondon@olympia.gannett.com.

Memorial service

A commemoration of Lou Stewart's life is planned for 1 to 4 p.m. April 13 at Jean-Pierre's Garden Room in Tumwater. Memorials can be made to the American Lung Association of Washington.

On the Web:

- Washington State Labor Council

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