Thaddeus James Stuart

Dr. Thaddeus James Stuart

Dr. Thaddeus James Stuart died at Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle on June 7, 2016. Mr. Stuart resided in Seattle after making his home for many years in Renton, Washington and North Chili, New York.

Thaddeus James Stuart was born in Crosby, North Dakota on January 30, 1925 to Thaddeus and Lyda Taylor Stuart. He was accepted to study music and finish high school education at Ellsworth College in Iowa. He spent summers at home in North Dakota with his family. In 1943 Thaddeus completed high school and the course in piano at Ellsworth College in Iowa Falls, and in 1946 received the degree of Bachelor of Music from Ellsworth College. He studied music under the founder of Ellsworth College, Doctor Artemas E. Bullock. Dr. Stuart then taught music and piano at Minot State Teachers College, Minot, North Dakota and served as organist at the First Baptist church.

Dr. Stuart studied at Eastman School of Music, Rochester University in Rochester, New York, receiving the degree of Master of Music in 1952. He taught at Roberts Wesleyan College in North Chili, New York for over 30 years. During this time he completed doctoral studies at the University of Minnesota.

Although Roberts Wesleyan had a relatively small music department, Dr. Stuart, who was warmly known as “Prof”, guided hundreds of students in music education and instruction. Many of these students have had successful careers in Music Education, Piano Pedagogy, Composition and Performance. Dr. Stuart was a meticulous and creative composer. He composed Chorales, music for piano, voice and organ which were performed by him and other musicians. After retirement he was pianist and organist for churches in and around Seattle up to the present time. Thaddeus also composed sonnets and Spenserian stanzas on subjects derived from Holy Scripture and wrote many discourses to explain Biblical truth and accounts. He was a brilliant musician, intellect and truly a man of God and His Word.

Thaddeus Stuart is survived by his siblings Grenville Stuart of Frederick, Maryland; Steven Stuart of Shawnee, Kansas; Cynthia Stuart Tyrrell of Belfair, Washington, and Robert Stuart, of Bloomfield, New Mexico, and by many nieces and nephews. They all, along with his many friends and neighbors, deeply mourn his passing.

A memorial service will be held at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 6020 Beacon Avenue South, Seattle at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 25, 2016 with Rev. Victor C. Langford III, Pastor and friend, officiating.