Remembering Bob Stewart

A Gentle Shepherd and Champion of Catholic Education

"A gentle shepherd."

Those are the words Fr. Ron Weyrens used to describe Robert "Bob" Stewart Jr., former president of Cathedral High School, who passed away on May 22 at the age of 84 after a lengthy illness.

Bob served as President of Cathedral High School (CHS)/John XXIII from July 1999 - March 2010. His visionary leadership and foundational work helped lay the groundwork for what is now Catholic Community Schools.

In the early 2000s, St. Cloud-area pastors undertook a comprehensive planning process to evaluate school structures and faith formation. From that work emerged the vision of a unified Catholic school system, according to Fr. Ron, who served on the boards of Cathedral High School and later Catholic Community Schools for more than 30 years.

"Bob did his best to make sure Cathedral wasn't taking over everything," Fr. Ron recalled. "He understood it would be an evolving process, and he helped moderate and shepherd that effort. He did all of this in addition to leading Cathedral. He was always collaborative and willing to adapt."

Although the financial challenges of creating a unified Catholic school system proved difficult during Bob's time in St. Cloud, his unwavering commitment to strong programming and educational excellence kept the mission at the forefront. His leadership laid the foundation for the unified Catholic Community Schools system that continues to provide future generations with access to an exceptional Catholic education.

A Man of Faith and Mentor to Many

Those who worked closely with Bob consistently describe his deep faith, steady leadership, and calming presence.

"He was such a wonderful mentor, calm and steady under pressure," said Lynn Grewing, Cathedral's Principal from 2000 to 2018. "He was a strong believer in Catholic education and felt that academics and faith were the perfect combination."

During his tenure, Bob oversaw the 7th and 8th grader merger of John XXIII Middle School and Sts. Peter, Paul and Michael (now All Saints Academy).

"Bob managed all the emotions that came with that change with tact and diplomacy," Lynn said. "As someone learning the ropes of administration, I had the best possible mentor and leader to follow. He believed every problem had a solution. It was invaluable to sit beside him and watch how he worked."

As a young professional in her 30s, Melanie Theisen had a front-row seat to Bob's leadership while serving as his Administrative Assistant throughout his tenure.

"I thought of him as a second father," she said. "We became good friends, and he trusted me completely in my role. He always had a gift for finding the right people for the right positions. If you looked up the definition of leadership in the dictionary, you would find Bob."

Melanie also reflected on Bob's faith.

"He lived his faith every day. He was never judgmental and never looked down on anyone."

Shari Wahlin, Cathedral's Development Director and Executive Director of the CHS Education Foundation from 1998 to 2008, partnered with Bob on a multi-million-dollar campaign to renovate Cathedral.

"He was the best supervisor," she said. "He didn't micromanage. He trusted me to do my job and always emphasized the importance of strong communication."

Finding a Home and Community in St. Cloud

Before moving to St. Cloud in 1999 with his wife, Rosie, Bob spent more than 30 years at Aurora Central Catholic High School in Aurora, Illinois, where he played an instrumental role in building a new high school campus.

"Bob and Rosie were such a powerhouse couple, they came as a pair," said Linda Kaiser, retired director of Catholic Education Ministries for the Diocese of St. Cloud. "He may not have been from St. Cloud, but he embraced this community as his own."

Linda described Bob as "a spark"… a people person who connected naturally with students and parents alike.

"He was so good for our community," she said. "He was instrumental in bringing our schools together and making sure we collaborated."

Erin Hatlestad, current Director of Education for Catholic Community Schools and former Principal of Cathedral Middle School, St. Katharine Drexel and Sacred Heart Elementary Schools, described Bob as "a giant among men."

"He genuinely cared about every person he worked with and had a gift for making others feel welcomed, valued, and seen," she said. "He was an extraordinary person and leader."

Bob Stewart's legacy lives on through the countless students, educators, and families whose lives he touched. His gentle leadership, unwavering faith, and commitment to Catholic education continue to shape Catholic Community Schools and will benefit generations to come.