Leigh Hartmann Stewart

Leigh Hartmann Stewart was born 08/23/1935 in Grand Forks, North Dakota. He died 08/11/2022 in Tuttle, Oklahoma.
He grew up in North Dakota. and graduated from UND. Leigh got his pilot's license while in High School and after college joined the Air Force during the Vietnam war. He went to work for Boeing in Seattle as an engineer and worked on the Minute Man Missile program. After saving some money, he quit and traveled around the world for a year, then, went back to work for Boeing. He got his Mater's Degree from University of Utah, Salt Lake City, and taught engineering there. Again, he traveled around the world and always said he went both both ways around the earth.
Always looking for an opportunity, Leigh went to work for NOAA and begin working with the very first weather satellites he took the very first picture of satellites. NOAA sent him many places to put up satellites. Next, Leigh went to work for Ford Aerospace who built the satellites and then worked all around the world as flight director. He ended his career at Lockheed Martin continuing to work in space programs.
He married Bonnie in 1998 when he retired; they sold everything and together they traveled the world for 7 years living on a sailboat in Canada, and a Volkswagen bus in Europe. In the winters they skied and went to a different area each year. Leigh was still skiing downhill at age 84. He was a long-distance runner and swam 3/4 of a mile each day until 18 months ago.
In 2021 Leigh and Bonnie lost their home to fire in Paradise, California and they came to Oklahoma to be near family.
He attended the Methodist church in Tuttle.
Leigh Loved pigeons, raised and raced them. He built lofts and aviaries in his shop in Tuttle and joined the local racing group.
In the last month of his life, Leigh wrote his memories, 50 pages long. He had a lot to say.
He is survived by wife, Bonnie. Nephews Russell Johnston, of Minnesota; Jud Stewart, of Montana. Nieces Stacey and Ron Petska; and Lisa Johnston both of Arizona. Stepchildren Michael McNair; and Laura Young of Oklahoma; Jon and Serena Young of California. He especially loved his grandchildren, Sarah and James Novotny of Chickasha, and Matthew and Rylee Young of California.
The family and friends will gather at a later time to honor Leigh.