- Date Of Birth: November 15, 1927
- Date Of Death: January 24, 2011
- State: Michigan
Stuart J. Bergstein, age 83, of Midland died at Brittany Manor on Monday, January 24, 2011 The son of the late Leonard and Esther (Goldstick) Bergstein was born on November 15, 1927 in Detroit. Stuart and his parents moved to Midland in 1930 to open Community Drug Store. He graduated from Midland High School in 1945 and then enlisted in the US Army and was trained as a high-speed intercept operator. After his discharge in 1947 he enrolled in the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy, graduating in 1950. On October 29, 1950 he married the former Ruth Ann Labowitch.
Stuart loved working for and owning Community Drug Stores from 1940 to 2001 and was happily joined by his son Rick in 1979 after he also graduated from University of Michigan College of Pharmacy. Grateful for all the opportunities that Midland had afforded his family, Stuart was a very active and a contributing member to the Midland community. Among the many organizations that Stuart served on were: Midland County Red Cross, board member and president; Midland Area Community Fund, board member and president; Midland Public Schools, board member and president; Delta College, board member and president; Temple Beth El, charter member and president; Chemical Bank and Trust, board of directors (22 years); Midland Hospital board of directors (9 years); Midland Center for the Arts, citizen board member; Midland Community Cancer Services; American Legion, Berryhill Post; Circle Business Association, original president; Downtown Development Authority, president; and as a member of the Jack Barstow Airport Commission, he was instrumental in bringing the new Barstow terminal to fruition. Later in life Stuart was most proud of his work as a tutor for young clients of the Literacy Council and his founding of the Backpack program that on Fridays sent groceries home after school to children who might have otherwise gone hungry over the weekend. Stuart was also a proud member of the Midland Rotary Club with a perfect attendance record for over 42 years.
Stuart became a licensed pilot in 1999 and he and his wife were avid tennis players. Stuart also enjoyed bicycling along the Rail Trail and later with his son Rob, going on bicycling vacations in Ireland, France, Holland, Italy and New York and they were later joined by his grandson Lerrin on bicycle trips across Canada.
Stuart was the recipient of many awards including: the Rotary Paul Harris Fellow Award; recognition from Delta College Chapter of American Association of University Professors; Book of Golden Deeds from the Exchange Club; Liberty Bell Award – Midland County Bar Association; Junior Achievement’s Hall of Fame; and the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy Distinguished Alumnus.
Stuart is survived by his wife, Ruth Ann, who was his true partner in every aspect of his life and who remained the love of his life; sons, Scott D., Fredric (Rick) J., Robert P. and Todd D.; daughter-in-law Carol (Burch) Bergstein; grandchildren, Jessica, Brittany, Lerrin and Ezra; and great grandchildren Ethan Charles, Harper James and Brayden Daniel.
