PEORIA MAGAZINE July 2022

B y definition, retirement is the withdrawal from an active working life. Whi le Doug and Vicky Stewart no longer work an 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. day in banking and education, the Dunlap couple continues to devote substantial time to numerous causes serving the Peoria area. Doug retired in 2017 after 44 years in banking in the same building at 301 SW Adams in Peoria. He began his career with Commercial National Bank as a trainee, moving on to trust administrator and eventually vice president and deputy manager of the Trust Division. When First of America Bank took over, he became its local president. National City was up next, where Doug held the regional president position for 10 years. In turn, that became PNC Bank, from which he retired in that top spot. Vicky retired in 2011 after a career in education, starting in 1973 as a special education teacher for Germantown Hills District 69. She would ascend to director of the Woodford County Special Education Association, leaving in 1993 to spend five years as principal at Peoria’s Northmoor School. She then moved to Illinois Central College, where she served as director of College Development, executive director of Institutional Advancement, dean of Planning, Research & Economic Development and vice president of Planning and Organizational Effectiveness. Much of what they do today in various roles at Peoria Riverfront Museum, Easterseals Central Illinois, OSF HealthCare, First Baptist Church, Bradley University, Quest Charter Academy, etc., is guided by their religious convictions. “Our faith has shaped our belief that every person is important and should be given the opportunity for a better life,” Vicky said. “If you look at the list of organizations we’ve been involved with, I think it will be evident that our faith in God and the value of every person has influenced howwe spend our time.”

A LIFETIME OF PHILANTHROPY

Bruce Budde, ICC’s executive vice president of Administration and Finance, has workedwith both Stewarts and uses three words to describe them. Excellence. Commitment. Passion. “I would just thank them for all they’ve done” and “continue to do in our community,” he said.

The Stewarts have been great supporters of nonprofits throughout central Illinois for nearly 50 years. For such they’ve received many honors, some shared, such as the Heart of Illinois United Way McCord Philanthropist of the Year in 2019, Easterseals Central Illinois Tribute Honorees in 2014, and the Community Service Award from the Illinois Park and Recreation Association and Peoria Park District in 2006.Separately, both have received the Prescott E. Bloom Memorial Distinguished Service Award from the Peoria Jaycees. Additionally, Doug is a Bradley University Centurion, African American Hall of Fame inductee and recipient of the Creve Coeur Club Robert Michel Lifetime Achievement Award. VickyhasbeenhonoredasSustainer of the Year by the Junior League of Peoria, as well as with the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce’s Athena Award and YMCA’s Frances M. Krasse Professions Award. Additional recognition has come from the Illinois State Board of Education, Bradley University, Peoria Public Schools and University of Illinois College of Education. Thei r combi ned commun i t y involvement, meanwhile, would fill an entire page – Illinois Central College Board of Trustees, Germantown Hills School Board, Salvation Army, Youth Farm, Economic Development Council of Central Illinois, Lincoln Academy of Illinois, Bielfeldt Foundation, Vonachen Group, etc. HIGH PRAISE “It’s rare when you find a couple with their level of intelligence and excellence,” said Sheila Quirk-Bailey, president of Illinois Central College. It’s “very impactful,” she continued, “to have a power couple … share that complete community perspective.” She credits them with “getting the ball rolling” on many a community effort and getting those involved “rowing in the same direction … They were involved in everything.”

SHARED ROOTS The Stewarts grew up in Livingston County 20 miles apart – Vicky in Fairbury and Doug in Cullom. Vicky was 15, Doug 16 when he showed up to work as a lifeguard at the community swimming pool three blocks from her house. It didn’t take long before Doug asked Vicky on a date. “I asked my parents and they were concerned because he was from another town,” Vicky said. Her parents put out feelers to learnmore about this boy from Cullom. “I just told them, ‘It’s just one date. I’m not going to marry him,’” she said, laughing. The two dated throughout high school and college – Doug at Illinois

JULY 2022 PEORIA MAGAZINE 53