Patrick Steward

Oct 28, 1936 -

Aug 18, 2020

Contractor, commercial fisherman, port commissioner, world-class hunter, pilot, master storyteller and world traveler Patrick Jay Steward passed peacefully surrounded by his family on Aug. 18, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska.

Born in Bakersfield, Calif., in 1936, Pat grew up on a working ranch until moving to Alaska, at age 14, with his father Jamie. While attending Anchorage High School, Pat became adept at construction trades and started his own contracting firm at age 25. Over the years, Steward & Co. projects ranged from building schools in Kongiganak and military contracting in Adak, to constructing low-income housing in Wrangell. His company was one of the first to use helicopters for unloading materials at worksites in the Bush. Pat helped initiate health, insurance and retirement benefits for Local 1281 before becoming a 40-year trustee of the Carpenter's Trust. Pat was also a lifetime director of AGC, received the Hardhat Award and was elected President of the organization in 1987.

When he wasn't building things, Pat was hunting and fishing around the globe. Bird hunting in Europe and South America were annual excursions, as were moose and caribou hunting for his family's table closer to home. However, his real love was sheep hunting. He relished the challenge sheep hunting entailed and achieved a much-coveted Super Slam. He made several trips behind the Iron Curtain to bag world-ranked Marco Polo and Argali sheep which necessitated month-long treks at high altitudes. He wrote about his experiences hunting in Asia and the people he befriended in his book, Mongolia Hunter (1986).

Pat and his wife, Margaret Susan "Susie" Steward, built their home in the Forest Park neighborhood, where they raised their four sons. Pat shared his love of hunting and fishing with his sons and commercial fished with them in Bristol Bay and the Bering Sea. The family would often fly out to hunting and fishing camps and the Steward Super Cub hauled many pounds of game home over the years. In addition to flying the Cub, the PA-12 and the 206 in Alaska, Pat and a friend flew a 1930s AN2 from Poland to Alaska in 1996. The trip was incredibly long since top speed was 110 mph, but it was a highlight of his flying career. Pat was always extremely proud of his 10,000-plus pilot hours flown in Alaska. It was a point of pride that he emerged unscathed after 50 years of Bush flying.

Giving back to the Anchorage community was important to Pat. His company sponsored many youth sports teams and he served a term as port commissioner in Anchorage. He also belonged to organizations that allowed camaraderie with others like himself, including the Quiet Birdmen. His storytelling abilities were legend and he had plenty of material to draw on having spent time on six of the seven continents. A man of exceptional energy and drive, Pat would spend his few off hours at the family cabin on Kachemak Bay with friends who would fly in from around the world.

Pat was preceded in death by his parents, Jamie "Pat" Steward and Thorvald Dobner; son, Wendel Steward; and infant son, Joseph Steward. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Margaret Susan "Susie" Steward; sister, Lynn Coale; sons, Dan Steward (Krista Scott), Brad Steward (Donna Steward) and David Steward (Lydia Miner); four granddaughters; and six great-grandchildren. The family would like to thank the wonderful folks of Providence Hospice Home Comfort Care for their outstanding assistance during Pat's last months. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Pat's memory to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105 or a charity of your choice. A memorial service will be held at a later date after COVID-19 concerns are resolved.