Richard "Rick" Glen Stewart

It is with deep sadness that we have to announce that “Rick” Richard Glen Stewart Jr. of Apache Junction, AZ passed away Saturday July 8, 2023 after a brave battle with cancer. He was born in Denver, CO October 16, 1955. Rick was raised in Mesa, AZ. Straight out of high school, he joined the Army and served during the Vietnam era. After the Army, he worked various jobs, but mostly in farming and ranching. Over the years he worked at farms in Colorado, Nebraska, and Arizona. He loved those days and still spoke about them fondly. But the industry that would and will forever define him is the steel business. 30 years ago, Rick started learning steel erection from various mentors. He loved it, and decided to strike out on his own with a truck and a couple of ladders. Over the years, he grew S&S Steel Structures into a thriving company and he has completed steel buildings, barns, arenas, storage lots, airplane hangars and more all across Arizona. He always conducted business with honesty and integrity. He had no fear and a can- do attitude and would stop at nothing to get the job done. He was a genius at trouble- shooting and problem solving. Rick Stewart is one of the best known, and most respected steel erectors in the business. One of Rick’s favorite hobbies was racing motorcycles and cars. He loved anything fast. For years he owned and raced top alcohol and top fuel dragsters. And he was good at it. He had an uncanny ability to build racing engines and get the best performance out of them. His quick timing at the starting line and driving ability earned him a handful of track records. He was very well admired and respected among his peers.They would still ask him what his secrets to success were even recently. Rick’s other passion was horses. He was hardly ever without one or more. He loved everything about them. Every chance he got, he’d pack his saddle bags with beer and ride the desert and the mountains all day long. But his favorite pastime of all was hanging out by the fire, drinking beer with his friends. He really liked people and enjoyed laughing and joking and having a good time. He was a lot of fun to be around. In April 2021, he found the love of his life, Leanne. They were married 6 months later. In the short time they had together, they loved, laughed, worked, and played hard. It was the happiest time of their lives. Rick will always be remembered for his easy going, kind personality with a dash of stubborn mixed in. He always had a goofy sense of humor and a mischievous grin on his face. To know him was to like him. He was a genuinely nice guy that lived life in his own way on his own terms. He will forever be missed by anybody that knew him. Rick leaves behind his wife Leanne Stewart, his mother Phyllis Schinke and step- father Don Schinke, brother Max(Anne) Stewart and step-sister Lisa Schinke, daughter Eran Stewart, son Jeffery(Becky) Stewart and step daughter Jordan(Andrew) Rosales, grandchildren Justin(Miriam), Jasmine, Nick, Heather, Rylee, nieces Katie(Scott) Merz

and Sara(Tyler) Hoeft, great nephew Ryder and great niece Dottie. He also has a great granddaughter on the way. He is preceded in death by his father Richard Glen Stewart Sr. A memorial trail ride will be held in his memory with a celebration of life afterwards this coming winter. The date, time and location will be announced at a later date.