James Drewry Stewart (January 1, 1941 - December 3, 2014) It is with great sadness that we have heard of the passing Dr. James (Jim) Stewart, on December 3rd, 2014 after a short battle with multiple myeloma. We at Fields wish to extend our condolences to the family, friends and students of Dr. Stewart. Jim has had a huge and lasting impact on university mathematics education, architecture and on the arts; his influence and mentorship will be greatly missed by all.

Jim was a great contributor to university instruction, music, the arts, sciences, and a connoisseur of architecture. As a teacher Jim used his knowledge and skill as an instructor to bring many students to a clearer understanding of mathematics, both in the class room and through his bestselling textbooks. Many knew him through his work with the performing arts as a violinist himself. Jim filled his final months with music and laughter, ensuring that he was able to take in as many guests and artists that he could, commenting that he did not want to miss a thing. One of the stories he told us was that, while planning his funeral, he had included a concert that he felt was to good too miss. He opted instead to hold that event while he could still enjoy it.

Dr. Stewart was also one of the individuals who helped build the Fields Institute when it first moved to Toronto in 1995, to become what it is today. He did this through generous donations of both money and time - and notably the Institute library now bears his name. He was elected a Fellow of the Fields Institute in 2002.

This autumn he also donated his time and the use of his house in order to host the Fields Medal Symposium formal dinner, as he has done every year since the Symposium’s inception. Jim let us know then that this was going to be the last time he would be able to invite us. Jim always reserved a place for us, and in the future we will continue to hold a place for him, because no one else will be able to fill that spot in our hearts or esteem. Dr. Stewart passed on Wednesday morning in the company of his friends and family at his home.