Stewart Hurtt Obituary

Stewart Minor Hurtt, 81, passed away on September 12, 2024.

Stewart was born on April 11, 1943, in Laurel, MD, to Charles Dunton Hurtt, Jr., from Exmore, VA, and Louise Trail Woodward Hurtt from Richmond, VA. The younger of two sons, he graduated from Laurel High School in 1961 and went on to attend Washington and Lee University (W&L), where he was the house manager and a proud member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity. In 1965, he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Contemporary Civilizations.

After completing the ROTC program at W&L, Stewart served in the U.S. Army Military Police Corps, stationed at the U.S. Army Post in Paris, France, until his honorable discharge in November 1966. He later returned to W&L to pursue a law degree, earning his Juris Doctor in June 1972. Concurrently, he served in the U.S. Army Reserve, where he achieved the rank of Captain before his discharge in April 1975.

After passing the bar in Maryland and Washington, D.C., in 1972, Stewart co-founded a private law practice in Laurel, MD, with his partner, C. Philip Nichols. For over two decades, he practiced law in that firm and others before transitioning to corporate underwriting counsel for national title insurance companies, where he worked until his retirement in 2011.

In January 1978, Stewart married Suzanne Spence from Hurlock, MD. They raised two children, Alex and Beth, in Columbia, MD, before retiring to the Eastern Shore in 2015 after completing renovations on their home by the Choptank River.

Known for his integrity, Stewart was often referred to as an "honest lawyer" with a dry wit. He took great pride in having achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. He found fulfillment in helping others navigate legal matters such as wills, adoptions, divorces, and, later, real estate settlements and title insurance. Stewart enjoyed renovation projects, including the restoration of historic buildings like a property on Prince George Street in Annapolis, MD, and the Old Line Building on Second Street in Laurel, MD. He also enjoyed woodworking, painting, refurbishing furniture, and reading-especially biographies and political literature.

Stewart was preceded in death by his wife, Suzanne, parents, and brother, Charles D. Hurtt, III. He is survived by his son, Alex Hurtt of Columbia, MD; daughter, Elizabeth (Beth) Hurtt of Durham, NC; granddaughter, Arianna Hurtt; niece, Dr. Debi Hurtt; daughter-in-law, Wen-Lee Hurtt; sister-in-law, Teresa Spence, and Sandy Holicky, considered an adopted sister-in-law.

A combined service will be held at the Eastern Shore Veterans Cemetery in Hurlock, MD for Stewart and Suzanne on October 11th at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the Alzheimer's Association, Hospice, or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are in the care of Zeller Funeral Home in East New Market.