James Robert Stewart, 72 of Rockford passed away on February 1, 2012. Born and raised in New Jersey, he received a BSIE from Newark College of Engineering, and MPA from University of Missouri at Kansas City, a MIE from Oklahoma State University, and a PH.D from Texas A&M. He worked in the public, private and educational areas, authoring numerous items, including the book Managing with Less. From 1989 until his retirement and moving to Rockford, he taught at NIU's Dept. of Technology. He was particularly proud of receiving the Arthur L. Williston Award and Medal for fostering civic service from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers in 1961. Jim loved traveling and lived at times in Iceland, Malaysia and Mexico. He had an extensive train hobby, loved his four cats and had been a Mason, like his father, Thomas. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Barbara; his daughter Doreen Mace of DeKalb; his adult grandchildren, Jamie Carroll of Aurora, Brian Sweet of DeKalb; and sister Barbara Greene of Bruce Crossing, UP, Michigan. Private Services. Grace Funeral & Cremation Services is assisting the family.